Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Rivalry showdown opens 2022 season
The North Mason High School softball team gathers around home plate to celebrate a first-inning home run by senior Tuesday Palmer, No. 8, against Mason County Cup rival Shelton on Saturday at Highclimber Field. The Bulldogs defeated the Climbers 7-1.
North Mason High School's Tuesday Palmer hits a first-inning home run against Shelton on Saturday at Highclimber Field.
Shelton catcher Danyka Squire catches the ball.
Bulldog catcher Jill Maiuri catches a strike.
Shelton's Christina Alvarez, left, and Carly Van Aagten celebrate after a deep fly ball was caught in center field.
North Mason's Sarah Pruitt watches a fly ball.
Tuesday Palmer winds up for a pitch.
North Mason High School's Sarah Pruitt fist bumps Bulldogs' assistant coach Jack Worthington at first base after Pruitt hit a lead-off single in North Mason's eventual 7-1 win over rival Shelton on Saturday at Highclimber Field.
The calendar said it was Saturday, but at Highclimber Field, it was undoubtedly Tuesday.
Senior right-hander Tuesday Palmer had a first-inning home run and five RBI, and threw a complete game two-hitter while fanning nine to lead the North Mason High School softball team to a 7-1 road win against Mason County Cup rival Shelton in both teams' season opener.
"I was super-excited to start the season and play Shelton for the first time," Palmer wrote in a text message. "I've been looking forward to this season since last season. Hitting that home run in the first inning I think surprised all of us a little bit considering we don't get many practices prior to the first game, but I proved to myself that with focus and determination I can make it happen.
"My pitching was shaky at the beginning, but near the end of the game I started to get more accurate and zoned in," wrote Palmer, who was the Shelton-Mason County Journal's All-County Pitcher of the Year last season after helping lead North Mason to a 12-4 record and the Olympic League South Division championship. "Now we know what to expect for the rest of the season, and I can't wait to get into it."
Sarah Pruitt led things off with a single for North Mason, and scored when Palmer - the third batter in the Bulldogs' lineup - smashed a two-run homer on the second pitch of her at-bat for a 2-0 first inning lead.
"I was very impressed with our pitching and catching," Bulldog coach Steve Valley wrote in a message. "We have a senior catching that did not catch hardly at all in high school. I was very impressed with Tuesday going the whole game. I did not plan on her throwing all seven."
Shelton scored in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 2-1, where things remained until the fifth inning.
With the bases loaded and one out, Palmer hit a three-RBI double to make it 5-1.
"We struggled at the plate. As a team we hit like .215-ish," Valley wrote. "We had 11 strikeouts looking. We have already started on fixing our strikeouts. The girls have a goal for the season and are working very hard to improve every day."
Shelton coach Rich Squire felt like he saw plenty of positives, despite the loss.
"The team battled every inning," Squire wrote in a text message. "We were in the game throught the fourth. We had one inning, which was the fifth, which we allowed them to set the table for a really good hitter. We have to do a better job pitching to the lower part of the lineup.
"I think we had a good game. The girls are working hard. I see a lot of potential for this team and where they can go."
Shelton-Mason County Journal & Belfair Herald
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