Royals’ Schomburg takes on pitching role

When the Kent-Meridian High fastpitch softball team started the season, it had no experienced pitchers.

In fact, said coach Tim Scott, there were very few girls who had played more than a couple of years, and only a handful of players returning from last season.

“We have a lot of kids who have never played before,” Scott said.

To fill the void on the mound, Scott asked if any players would step up as pitchers.

Sophomore Lacey Schomburg, a veteran shortstop with seven years experience, volunteered to give pitching a try.

“Why not try something new,” the 15-year-old said of her decision. “I’ve been pretty good at it.”

Scott said he is impressed with Schomburg’s willingness to learn a new position.

“She’s done an excellent job,” he said. “She throws a lot of strikes and keeps the game moving.”

The young pitcher enjoys playing in the middle of the action.

“I like being in the spotlight,” she said. “I like being able to touch the ball every play.”

Schomburg started playing softball in third grade when one of her best friends signed up. Schomburg was also inspired to take up the sport by her mom, who played for 29 years.

Her mom is supportive of the decision to try a new position, although she was nervous at first, afraid that her daughter would get injured.

“Now she likes it,” Shomburg said. “She thinks I’m good at it. She likes to brag to all her friends.”

Schomburg has learned her new position by watching YouTube videos, but primarily through practice.

“It has definitely taught me it is OK to make mistakes,” she said. “Because my team is so supportive of me, I feel comfortable doing it.”

Schomburg has a great attitude and has become a leader for the team, Scott said. She was voted captain by her teammates.

“She would have been one of my choices,” Scott said.

A lot the players turn to Schomburg for help on the field.

We look up to her,” freshman Lauryn Kesler said. “We noticed at tryouts that she’s one of the more experienced players.”

Kesler, who played second base in slowpitch softball, also volunteered to pitch for the team despite never playing the position.

“I noticed no one was really going over, so I thought I would give it a try,” she said.

Kesler and Schomburg have been getting to know the position together.

“It is just a learning experience for both of us,” she said. “She helps me out sometimes.”

Scott, who is in his first year coaching at Kent-Meridian, said the young team has improved immensely since the beginning of the season despite an 0-8 start this spring, and he thinks it has potential to improve in the South Puget Sound League North Division standings over the next couple of years.

“Whatever we ask them to do, they try it,” he said. “They are getting better all the time, and more confident, too.”

Although the Royals have yet to win a game this season, they celebrate the small accomplishments and encourage each other. When Emily Safford dove for the ball for the first time in a recent game, the team erupted with cheers from the bench.

“It is really fun to watch them grow,” Scott said. “We are trying to create a culture of fun.”

Schomburg enjoys the camaraderie among her teammates.

“Even though we don’t win all the time, we still really have fun,” she said. “We don’t have to win for it to be fun. … It is a game and that’s really all that matters.”