Sports
Shorewood Fastpitch 2011 Season Preview
The Thunderbirds continue to play close ball in the new WesCo 3A despite early non-league struggles
Team: Thunderbirds
League: 3A WesCo
Coach: Paul Jensen
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Key Returners: P/SS Madison Hollenbeck, senior; P/2B/OF Monica Elk, junior; 3B Kelsey Jang, senior; 1B Kendra Holley-Lair, senior; C Celine Ulrich, junior
Impact Newcomers: IF Vreni Hutt, freshman; OF Melissa Eik, freshman
Find out what's happening in Shoreline-Lake Forest Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
A look back: The Thunderbirds earned a 9-11 record in league play for the 2010 season, finishing 9-13 overall.
Behind senior all-league first team honorees Ali Hascall and Chloe Pope-Levinson, Shorewood stayed competitive in the old 4A WesCo South before being stopped in the district playoffs by a Stanwood team that would eventually go deep in the state tournament.
2011 outlook: Since moving down to 3A the T-Bird ladies have held tough in early league games, eeking out a close 2-1 victory over Lynnwood and narrowly losing 3-2 to Mountlake Terrace. In non-league games against 4A opponents, however, first year coach Jensen's squad has lost big, including a Monday whooping at the hands of Jackson.
Though last year's all-league seniors are missed the team is not short on talent, returning all-league first team pitcher Madison Hollenbeck and honorable mention honoree Monica Eik.
Top Tickets: Oak Harbor, 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 6; Mountlake Terrace, 4 p.m. Monday, April 25; Shorecrest, 4 p.m. Friday, May 6