Coming off their first playoff appearance since 2005, the Lady Gators began the 2010 fastpitch season with a sense of optimism and hopes of returning to the playoffs. Despite the big expectations, the Lady Gators were off to a sluggish start as they won just seven of their first 14 games. Regardless, as the weather got better, so did the Lady Gators as they finished fourth in the West and were able to clinch a berth in the NWAACC playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Unfortunately for the Lady Gators, their dreams of an NWAACC championship were dashed in the first round of the playoffs as they were defeated by the South division champion Lady Cougars of Clackamas Community College by the final score of 3-2. Despite the loss the Lady Gators were able to give the eventual third place team a run for their money. The loss by the Lady Gators in the first round didn't diminish what they were all able to accomplish on the diamond this season.
The Lady Gators finished the season with six players voted as all-stars of the west division of the NWAACC, including two players on the first team. Sophomore pitcher Caitlyn Duggan was voted on to the first team as well as sophomore infielder Carrie Crookshank. With six all stars the Lady Gators finished behind only the first place Lady Pirates of Pierce College for the most all-stars in the division. The other four Lady Gator all-stars were infielder Tarah Pierce, catcher Roxann Schwarz, pitcher Alexa Derrick, and first baseman/pitcher Kayla Evans.
During the regular season, the Lady Gators were led on the mound by Duggan. The sophomore led the Lady Gators in wins, ERA (earned run average), and strikeouts. Another key performer for the Lady Gators was freshman pitcher/first baseman Kayla Evans. Evans, the cleanup hitter, was a force offensively as she led the team in homeruns as well as delivering timely hits all season long. She also delivered quality innings on the mound as one of the Lady Gators' best pitchers. Another one of the key players for the Lady Gators was Freshman Alexa Derrick. The former SPSL MVP had a solid first season with the Lady Gators as she asserted herself as one of the top pitchers in the NWAACC.
Even with the early playoff exit, many analysts have called the Lady Gators' fastpitch season a success. After having not made the playoffs for three straight seasons, Green River has now turned in back-to-back playoff berths. Coach Dillinger and his staff will be looking to keep the positive momentum going toward next season. With seven freshmen currently on the roster, the Lady Gators will be relying heavily on their veteran players, and with such an experienced roster, they should expect to be near the top of the NWAACC west standings heading into the 2011 season.
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