Juneau’s prep softball community witnessed history Tuesday night.
For the first time ever, the Thunder Mountain High School softball team beat Juneau-Douglas High School in a conference game, taking the Crimson Bears down 7-1 at Dimond Park.
Needless to say the girls were ecstatic with the win; waves of excitement practically radiated from TMHS’ three seniors, Makayla Harp, Tracy Bourassa and Taylor Beardslee.
“It’s amazing, we made history. It’s a first and it’s awesome,” Bourassa said. “We definitely went out strong and played with the same mindset from the first inning.”
Said Harp: “It feels good, like practice paid off and it was worth the grueling hours. It just is one of those wins that you work so hard for.”
“I was feeling so good tonight,” Beardslee said. “It honestly just feels awesome.”
Harp, an outfielder, made the game’s highlight play with a spectacular catch in left field in the top of the sixth. Harp took off into the corner of the outfield at a dead sprint, barely catching a deep shot past the foul line. TMHS supporters screamed in disbelief that Harp had actually tracked the ball down; she ranked the play near the top in her career.
TMHS’ defense was on Tuesday night, with sophomore Maximina Saceda-Hurt and junior Alondra Echiverri each having web gems of their own.
The Falcons pitching was solid as well. Beardslee played all seven innings, throwing 94 pitches for 53 strikes. Beardslee said her changeup and rise were particularly strong.
Head coach Jorge Cordero, who’s been with the program since its start, was very proud of his team, and was hard pressed to pick out a favorite part of their game.
“It’s unbelievable. They’re a tough team, Juneau,” Cordero said. “For the first time we feel like we have a good team. … Everything was working for us tonight: good defense, good hitting, good pitching. It all came together and that’s how you win games.”
TMHS did their damage in the third inning, going for six runs that set the Crimson Bears too far back against such a tough defense. Tied 1-1, Maximina Saceda-Hurt doubled to center field to earn the Falcons their first lead, bringing Haleigh Dicarlo in on the play.
Alondra Echiverri brought Saceda-Hurt in on a double for the Falcons 3-1 lead.
After a 1-RBI grounder by Bourassa, sophomore Megan Dallas had the big play from the plate, hitting a three-RBI line drive before being tagged out at third.
JDHS coach Dave Massey said his team lacked focus.
“We forgot to show up mentally, but that happens sometimes,” Massey said. “I think we need to just focus on what we’re supposed to do. They didn’t do what they had agreed to do before the game as far as their approach.”
Senior Crimson Bear pitcher Quincy Bates said her team didn’t start out well. Though Bates was disappointed with the loss, she realized what a big moment it was for some of her friends on Thunder Mountain.
“Thunder Mountain is pretty good, it just wasn’t the day for us,” Bates said. “We’re all friends, so it’s nice to see them win.”
• Kevin Gullufsen can be reached at 523-2228 or at kevin.gullufsen@juneauempire.com.
