Like last year, Tahoma and Kentlake’s fastpitch teams split the season series and are tied atop the South Puget Sound League 4A North Division.
With Tahoma’s 9-0 victory Monday over Mount Rainier, the Bears earned a share of the division crown, something they split with the Falcons in 2010.
Unlike a year ago, when the No. 1 seed to the SPSL playoffs was decided by a coin flip, Tahoma and Kentlake will battle it out on the field at 5 p.m. on Tuesday at Kentwood High.
After Kentlake beat Tahoma on May 5, Falcons short stop Erika Smyth told the Reporter she wanted Tahoma to win its final two games because she wanted to play the Bears again.
In the victory over the Rams, Miller went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and three stolen bases while co-captain Lisa Maulden was 2-for-4 with a triple, Sammii Jimenez was 3-for-4 with a triple and Shelby Carter was 1-for-2 with a triple, an RBI along with a pair of walks.
Following Tahoma’s victory that sealed the tie Monday, co-captain and second baseman Emily Miller said she is looking forward to the re-match because playing for the top seed and a bye into the league semi-final is “way better.”
“We’re a lot more satisfied being able to play for it,” Miller said. “We feel like we can prove something. We can fight for it. It’s bittersweet sharing (the division title) but it really means something to come in and do it our last year. It’ll leave our mark on the program.”
It’s a rivalry that goes back to seventh grade among athletes who have played against one another for their school teams and with one another on select squads. Kentlake catcher Brittany Styger told the Reporter on May 5 that one of the reasons the rivalry is so significant is “because we’re all best friends.”
At least, off the field, they’re friends. They text. They talk on Facebook. They hang out.
Between the chalk lines they’re fierce competitors and rivals.
Miller said Tahoma will have to be sharp in the third meeting of the season with Kentlake and “to not miss opportunities.”
“We just need to jump on them and not leave anything out there,” she said.
Tahoma has six seniors on its team while Kentlake has four.
