The Soldotna softball team defeated Kenai Central 13-0 in 3 1-2 innings Tuesday in Northern Lights Conference action at the Soldotna Little League fields.
The Stars moved to 5-0 in the league and 9-3-1 overall, while the Kardinals dropped to 2-1 in the league and 6-6 overall.
Isabelle Cruz held the Kards off the board for four innings while giving up two hits, walking two and striking out five.
Cruz credited her brother, 2023 SoHi graduate Sage Cruz, for the performance. Isabelle said Sage watches the team’s games on the app GameChanger and noticed a change in Isabelle’s delivery.
Sage said Isabelle had to balance her weight better.
“Front side resistance in your front leg, and just work on opening your hips more so you get that release at a better angle,” Isabelle said.
It worked. Cruz got better as the game went on. She struck out two of the final three batters she faced.
“The coolest thing about today was the very end,” Soldotna head coach Carly Norvelle said. “She hit those last six pitches exactly like we called them.”
SoHi’s offense did the rest.
Tatum Cooper led off and went 2 for 2 with three runs and an RBI. The Stars put Cooper into the leadoff spot last weekend.
“A few games ago, we switched the lineup up a little bit, and since then, it’s just been confidence,” Norvelle said.
Kacey Cunningham also had a big game, going 2 for 2 with a run and four RBIs. Also, Bella Gares had two runs, Cruz’s courtesy runner scored three times, Alyssa McDonald had two runs and two RBIs, and Izzy Jones had a pair of RBIs.
“We have Tatum leading off, and she makes good contact,” Cruz said. “Our mentality is pass the bat.”
Norvelle is in her first year as head coach. She graduated from Kenai Central in 2013 and was used to being on the short end of the stick in games with Homer and SoHi, so she said starting the week with victories over Homer and Kenai was nice.
John Crapps also is a first-year coach for the Kards.
Crapps said he has 26 in the program, with about 10 full-time varsity players.
He said there are about six seniors on varsity, led by senior captains Avia Miller and Avery Ellis.
Crapps said starter Lola McEwen threw strikes in allowing 12 runs in the first two innings. Blakeley Jorgensen got the final three outs in allowing one run.
The Kenai coach said the biggest problem was inconsistent hitting.
“It’s off and on,” Crapps said of the batting. “We hit really well against Houston, like, really well. It was a little slow today.”
Kailey Stynsberg and McEwen were credited with the hits for Kenai. Crapps said Stynsberg was making the best contact for the Kardinals.
Soldotna’s Izzy Jones hits the ball against Kenai Central on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Soldotna Little League fields in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central’s Love Carter-Hendriks makes a catch in right field Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Soldotna Little League fields in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Central’s Lola McEwen delivers to Soldotna on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Soldotna Little League fields in Soldotna, Alaska. (Photo by Jeff Helminiak/Peninsula Clarion)
