All of this is a rather new experience for Newport softball coach Bree Lewis.
Not coaching, the Skyline alum has been doing that for the past six seasons; first at her alma mater on the Sammamish Plateau and then with the Knights. But in 2011, Lewis is taking on the added challenge of coaching-up a roster that includes seven freshman and not a single senior.
But their youth has not stopped the newcomers from making an immediate impact on the diamond for Lewis and the Knights. In fact, the seven members of the class of 2014 are fitting right in according to their head coach.
“A lot of those girls [the freshman] have already played together in Little League and in their select programs,” Lewis said. “They kind of already know each other and play at a high level.”
While her players have thus far made a seamless transition to the main stage of prep softball, Lewis has been doing her best to ensure their success is not a fleeting experience.
After missing out on the KingCo tournament last season, the Newport coach has this year’s group staying focused even against lesser foes, which is something she said they were unable to do last season. “A key will be winning the games we’re supposed to win,” Lewis said. “So far, what I’ve seen from the team, I don’t think we’re really going to have a problem.”
That winning attitude goes right along with the mantra the 2011 Knights have adopted: Be better than the day before, be better than you were.
It didn’t take long for their catchy new slogan to be tested.
In the opening game of the season, Newport was blanked 4-0 by the Bellevue Wolverines. But Lewis’ team didn’t flinch and has since ran-off three consecutive wins (Interlake, Roosevelt, Sammamish). That ability to stick to the game plan even after a setback has impressed Lewis. “They’re very smart in the field, they’re aggressive at the plate and they come out here to win,” Lewis said. “They don’t think it’s something that is just going to happen.”
Knights at a glance
Coach: Bree Lewis, third season
Returning starters: Four
Impact Newcomers: India Gantz, FR; Maggie Pana, FR; Kaitlin Sahlinger, FR
Crucial Match-ups: Monday, April 4 VS Redmond, 4:30pm; Wednesday, April 13 @ Eastlake, 4pm; Wednesday, May 11 VS Eastlake, 4:30pm
From the dugout: Lewis on the youth movement: “I’ve never had so many yong players so trying to get them accustomed to varsity play and the varsity schedule has been the most difficult…Our goal this year is to play as a team and come out every game like it’s the state championship. I want them to play to their potential every single day.”
