Sports - High Schools

POSTED: Thursday, Jun. 18, 2009

ALL-COUNTY SOFTBALL: Whatcom County Player of the Year Ramstead unmatched on diamond

When Nooksack Valley's Erika Ramstead first started mowing down hitters as a freshman phenom four years ago, it would have been tough to find a pitcher in Whatcom County who could throw a softball harder.

Three weeks ago as Ramstead wrapped up her high school career at the Class 1A state tournament you'd be hard pressed to find a better overall pitcher.

"Erika has always thrown hard," Nooksack Valley coach Tom Harmon said. "But I think this year more than any other she mentally made that switch from throwing to pitching."

Whether it was simply rocking and firing that blistering fastball, or hitting a spot with a riseball or a change-up, no other pitcher in Whatcom County commanded quite as much attention as Ramstead did in the pitcher's circle this season.

After helping Nooksack Valley to a state berth for the fourth consecutive season, putting together a 17-7 overall record, finishing with a 1.79 earned run average, and striking out 201 batters, Ramstead has been named the Bellingham Herald's All-Whatcom County Softball Player of the Year.

Blaine coach Tim Esposito is the All-Whatcom County Coach of the Year after leading the Borderites to their first state fast pitch appearance.

For Ramstead, who is heading to Western Washington University to play basketball next season, her last season of softball was a time to celebrate what has been four outstanding years. And though the Pioneers didn't quite reach their dream of winning a state title, Ramstead still feels like they accomplished a lot.

"It was the last season of my senior year and really, I just wanted to go out and have fun," Ramstead said. "I guess in that way it was different. I felt a little bit more relaxed. Why not enjoy this last bit of high school that we have together? Just go out with a bang and do our best."

Ramstead's best was better than just about any other Class 1A player in the state. Of the 2,470 pitches she threw this season, 1,921 were for strikes. And she walked only 23 batters in 156 innings pitched.

Along with her pitching accomplishments she also hit .524 with six home runs and had 19 RBIs. Sixteen of her 43 hits went for extra bases. Even with so much success Ramstead never let it go to her head.

"Erika doesn't know anything about being a prima donna," Harmon said. "Not with one bone in her body. She only knows how to compete like a champion."

Though a state title remained elusive, Nooksack Valley won both a Class 1A Northwest District Tournament title as well as a Tri-District Tournament title this season. The Pioneers dropped just three games over the final month of the season and won nine straight before getting tripped up in the state quarterfinals.

"This year we did peak at the right time," Ramstead said. "My sophomore and junior years we played our best at the beginning of the season. This year we got better as the season went on and you could see that. It's just too bad we couldn't come up with two more wins right at the end."

That said, Ramstead has little to worry about when it comes to her legacy as a softball player and an athlete at Nooksack Valley. She leaves with 79 career wins - the most wins in school - and is on the short list of the best to put on the purple pinstripes.

"I've already told Mr. Harmon that I would love to come back anytime that I can, even if it's just a couple of days to help with practice," Ramstead said. "This is such a great program it's hard to walk away from it, and I don't want to walk away from it. I want to be a part of it as long as I can."

Reach Joe Sunnen at joe.sunnen@bellinghamherald.com or 756-2862.