There are no weak links in the South softball lineup, so any player can be a star on any given day.
In the state championship game, it was freshmen Milli Wurst and Ryan Hutchison along with junior Alexis Moore.
Wurst pitched a five-inning 3-hitter while Hutchison and Moore each smacked three doubles as the Wolverines beat Chugiak 10-2 in the title game of the ASAA Division I state tournament in Fairbanks.
Junior star Emily McCutcheon also bashed a bomb, her 16th home run of the season to break her own team record of 15 set last year.
The title game was indicative of South’s superior depth as everybody got into the act during the 3-day tournament, helping the Wolverines go 5-0 and outscore opponents 53-15.
South’s Alexis Moore. Photo by Tim Keaveny/Special to the Alaska Sports Report
“When the top of our lineup wasn’t able to contribute as normal the bottom of the lineup was always able to pull through and continue to keep our morale high,” said South infielder Alexis Keaveny. “Everyone was able to pull through and be there for the team.”
As expected, McCutcheon led the charge.
The shortstop went 9-for-15 at the plate with three home runs, five doubles and seven RBIs.
“I felt like I was just seeing the ball really well,” McCutcheon said. “Felt good to produce for the team when it was needed, especially in the Chugiak games.”
South beat Chugiak 12-1 in the semifinals, with McCutcheon going 3-for-3 with three doubles.
South secured its second straight state title and had three players represented on the all-tournament team in McCutcheon, Wurst and pitcher Madison Williams. In reality, several other South players deserved a spot on the squad too.
South’s Madison Williams. Photo by Tim Keaveny/Special to the Alaska Sports Report
Take outfielder Olivia Heartwell, who had nine RBIs in the tournament – more than she had all season. Or Hutchison, who went 11-for-17 with five RBIs. Or Moore, who was 10-for-14 with seven RBIs.
Moore was an especially vital player for South as she filled in at second base for all-conference starter Alison Ulrich, who injured her knee during regions and missed the state tournament.
“It was a real bummer to lose Ali because we have great chemistry in the middle of the field,” McCutcheon said. “But Alexis stepped up big when the team needed it and she made a lot of great plays. She came in after not playing second very much during games and she was able make an adjustment and settle in. Plus, she hit really well during the tournament to help us out in another way.”
Keaveny, a junior cleanup hitter, saved South from a loss in pool play as her game-winning base hit in the bottom of the seventh inning provided an 8-7 win over Chugiak.
South’s Alexis Keaveny. Photo by Tim Keaveny/Special to the Alaska Sports Report
The Wolverines were down to their last out and had runners on second and third when she came to the plate.
“To be completely honest I was very excited to get that opportunity,” Keaveny said. “I was very sure of my abilities.”
Her confidence showed as she lined a pitch over the second baseman’s head to score two runs in a walk-off win.
Chugiak was one of only two teams this season to beat South (26-3-1) and it nearly happened again on the biggest stage.
“I have a lot of respect for the Chugiak team and their spirit and drive, and I truly believe their team is something that others can easily look up tom” Keaveny said. “They are definitely one of the teams to beat considering how well the players and coaches are able to work together.”
Chugiak’s Morgan Traxinger deserves a ton of credit. She pitched all 17 innings across three games against No. 1-ranked South and batted in the leadoff position, banging out a base hit in each game, including home runs in pool play and again in the semifinals.
Chugiak’s Morgan Traxinger. Photo by Tim Keaveny/Special to the Alaska Sports Report
Traxinger had the unpleasant task of facing South’s ‘Murderers Row’ of hitters, a top-to-bottom lineup loaded with slappers and bangers. The workhorse pitcher carried the Mustangs.
“Morgan grinds in the circle no matter the circumstances of the game and she never seems to get rattled or have a poor attitude,” McCutcheon said. “She does really well at making me be patient and hunt for a good pitch. She is really seasoned with good control; she doesn’t give out a lot of walks and she hits her spots well.”
McCutcheon can’t be fun to face. A mix of patience and power, she hits everything hard.
Last weekend she surpassed the 30-home run benchmark and knocked in her 100th run, giving her 106 RBIs in 200 career plate appearances.
She doesn’t get cheated at the plate, taking huge rips at pitches she likes. But hitting bombs is more than just swinging for the fences.
South’s Emily McCutcheon. Photo by Tim Keaveny/Special to the Alaska Sports Report
“It helps to have a great hitting coach. In my opinion I have the best hitting coach, Jake Epstein,” McCutcheon said. “I’ve worked with him a lot over the past few years.”
Hard to argue with the results. She increased her batting average 100 points from last year (.557 to .658) and added 123 points to her on-base percentage (.612 to .735), thanks to her willingness to accept base on balls.
But she’d rather grip and rip.
“I get a lot of power and timing from my stride and my sequencing,” McCutcheon said. “I also work out a lot which helps make it more effortless to hit the ball hard.”