Despite changes, undefeated Puyallup softball in familiar winning territory

Major changes haven’t prevented the Puyallup softball team from reaping familiar results this spring.

To the contrary, the Vikings have managed to take what could have proven disparate pieces – a new head coach, transfers from two different schools in two different states, and a trio of incoming freshmen – and blend those pieces into an already successful core of returners to set themselves up for even loftier heights.

“I knew we were going to be competitive,” first-year head coach Alec Elliott said. “But things just kind of fused all together. It really is all three of those things that has made us what we are.”

The core was in place, and it was a core that had unexpected success a year ago. Pitcher Izzy Welch was the co-MVP of the South Puget Sound League. Third baseman Sam Bland a first-team all-league selection.

And they helped send retiring Puyallup coach Tony Batinovich out with the only title available to the Vikings in 2021 – the SPSL title. There was no chance to make a state run due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which caused the WIAA to cancel all state playoffs for the 2020-21 school year.

That team didn’t have a single senior graduate. Thus, as the incoming coach, Elliott understood that he’d have a competitive squad as his first at Puyallup.

The coaching transition happened easily as Elliott ascended from his role as Batinovich’s assistant, which he’d held for five seasons. And then Batinovich helped the cause when he agreed to be a volunteer assistant for this 2022 team.

“When Alec first asked me, I actually said no,” Batinovich said.

But in the end, the former coach couldn’t stay away.

When tryouts began, the rest of the pieces quickly presented themselves.

The coaches found they had a new third-base candidate in sophomore Kyra Smith, whose family had moved from the Des Moines area where she had attended Mt. Rainier High as a freshman. Junior Raquel Thomas, an outfielder, had moved into the area from Hawaii.

Smith has rewarded her new team with a .650 average (26 of 40). But with Smith on the scene, Elliott almost immediately pulled Bland aside for a conversation.

“We moved Sam to first base,” Elliott said. “She’s just a great team player. And her bat is going to keep her in the lineup at any position you want.”

All Bland has done, other than anchor first defensively, is bat .537, hit five home runs, produce 26 RBI and score 23 runs over the first 12 games of the Puyallup schedule, all victories. The Vikings are 10-0 in the SPSL heading into a Friday showdown at home against perennial power Olympia.

The move across the diamond did give Bland, now a senior, a moment’s pause.

“At first, I was a little hesitant,” Bland said. “But coach told me I was the best person to play first, dig the balls over there.”

The third leg of this tripod of success came from the youngsters. Freshman twins Gracie and Chloe Ream arrived in high school with talent and expectations, along with another first-year player in Paisley Jamison.

All Gracie Ream has done is lead the team in home runs with nine, hit .629, and drive in 25 runs, all while splitting time between the shortstop position and joining Welch, Bland and Lauryn Krick to form a deep and talented pitching staff.

“Lauryn at No. 3 has done an absolutely great job,” Elliott said. “As we get slammed here with four-game weeks, I think we have a little more depth to be prepared for that.”

All of the talent has created a sense of camaraderie, but also one of competition.

“We kept a bigger roster, 16, so it’s tough sometimes,” Elliott said. “The competition right now to be a starter, and keep that starting spot, it’s a daily grind.”

The competition has taken a back seat to the needs of the team, however.

“It’s magic, I guess,” Gracie Ream said. “We are all just comfortable with each other. I think it’s being able to count on each other, on and off the field.”

Capturing this kind of magic will need to be rejiggered once this season is over. The Reams, see, will be moving after the school year ends.

“This will be our only year with Puyallup,” said Ream, who said the family is moving to College Station, Texas this summer. “That’s why this is just a great experience.”

And the Vikings believe this experience could go a long way.

“At first, I think a lot of the goals were individual. How can I help the team with stats,” Bland said. “Now, instead of personal stats, they are team goals. Win state. Win districts first. Everyone is working hard to make the team better.”

That includes taking on whatever role is needed for the team to succeed.

“I know I’ve stepped more into a leadership role,” Bland said. “We want to help Alec bring it up to what Tony had it being.”

This story was originally published April 29, 2022 at 5:00 AM.