PRAIRIE SENIOR Sarah Landstrom takes a swing during the Falcons’ April 26 win over Columbia River. Landstrom is Prairie’s cleanup hitter and plays third base for the Falcons, who are undefeated in Class 3A Greater St. Helens League play this season. Photo by Mike Schultz.
PRAIRIE SHORTSTOP Taylor Bussey (2) tags out a Columbia River runner during the Falcons’ win April 26 at Prairie High School. Teammate Nicole O'Haver, left, looks on after participating in the rundown that resulted in the putout.
Photo by Mike Schultz.
There appears to be only one thing that can stop the Prairie Falcons girls softball team this season – injuries.
Prairie has opened its Class 3A Greater St. Helens League season with five straight victories to stand alone in first place at the midway point. However, the Falcons’ stellar season continues to be dampened by numerous injuries to key performers.
“They’re very tough injuries,’’ said Prairie coach Dawn Rowe, pointing out that her players aren’t just suffering from a few bumps and bruises. “I don’t know when these kids are going to be able to come back, but we’re still strong so we’re not worrying about it. We’re going to be tough.’’
The injured list for the Falcons includes three key players. Ellie Cecil, a sophomore outfielder, was injured on April 28 while practicing with her club team. Cecil collided with another player and suffered a broken collarbone that will require surgery. She’s likely out for the rest of the season.
Bailee Blechschmidt, the Falcons’ sophomore catcher, has missed more than a week with a severe concussion and pitcher Maddie Williams, a sophomore, has a pulled muscle in her rib cage and has missed two weeks of action.
“We still have a solid team,’’ Rowe said. “We should win league and I expect us to get first place at district. The nice thing about our league is that if you finish first you only have to play one game at district and then have a good seeding for regionals.’’
Through their adversity, Rowe said her players have had a great approach to the season.
“Overall, these girls have been very coachable and very fun to work with,’’ she said. “It’s been a very rewarding season.’’
With one of their top two pitchers (Williams) injured, Prairie has turned the pitching load over to freshman Irene McGuire.
“She moves the ball well and has decent speed,’’ Rowe said of her young pitcher. “Nobody is nailing her. She had one poor performance but on that day she was wiped out, just adjusting to what high school ball is like. And, every now and then she will hit a home, so she can hit too.’’
When it comes to hitting, there’s nobody better on the Prairie roster, and maybe the entire state, than Taylor Bussey. The senior shortstop has a batting average of over .600 at the midway point of the GSHL season. Bussey was the GSHL 3A Most Valuable Player last season as a junior.
“She’s one of the best hitters in the State of Washington,’’ Rowe said. “She’s also one of the best infielders in the state.’’
Rowe said Bussey will play next season at Concordia University in Portland.
“She makes all the plays at shortstop look easy,’’ Rowe said. “When it comes to hitting, Taylor is in a world of her own. Nobody hits like Taylor.’’
In a 9-5 win over second-place Kelso on April 24, Bussey had two hits, including a home run, and four runs batted in to lead Prairie.
Senior Sarah Landstrom, the Falcons’ third baseman, is hitting about .350 this season.
“She’s a strong hitter,’’ Rowe said of Landstrom. “She’s got a positive attitude and she’s a hard worker.’’
Junior Nicole O’Haver was a combined 7-for-7 at the plate in wins over Kelso and Columbia River (April 26). She plays centerfield and bats leadoff for the Falcons.
“She makes diving catches; to me, she’s the best outfielder in the league right now,’’ Rowe said. “She’s got speed, she slaps (the ball), drags, she hits – they don’t know what she’s going to do. She has a lot of weapons; a lot of tools.’’
Prairie had the opportunity to test itself against quality 4A competition during the preseason, including a doubleheader sweep of Rogers of Puyallup, a perennial softball power in the state.
“We play them every year because they have one of the best programs in the state,’’ Rowe said.
The Falcons also had preseason wins over Camas and Skyview.
Rowe hopes the Falcons can get back to the state tournament this season. Last year, a senior-laden Prairie suffered a surprise loss to Mountain View in the final game to advance to state.
Prairie High School has enjoyed a great deal of success over the past decade at the state softball tournament. The Falcons advanced to the 3A state tourney in 2009 (placing fourth) and 2010. While at the 4A level, the Falcons were second in 2003, fourth in 2004, second in 2005 and claimed the state championship in 2006.
