2006 Star Times softball team

May 23, 2006

Ashly Forsberg, Lake Stevens

Lindsay Boughton

Woodinville, pitcher, Sr.

After leading the Falcons to a Class 4A state title as a junior, Boughton came back strong as a senior. She posted a 16-1 record with a 0.48 earned-run average to lead Woodinville to a KingCo 4A Mountain Division title. In 116 regular-season innings, the Idaho State recruit had 170 strikeouts and allowed only 56 hits and 21 walks. This is her second Star Times selection.

Ashly Forsberg

Monroe, pitcher, Sr.

Forsberg, who will pitch at Utah Valley State next year, dominated the WesCo North Division to lead the Bearcats to a 19-1 regular-season record. Forsberg went 13-1 with a 0.06 ERA, allowing only one earned run during the regular season. In 99 innings, Forsberg piled up 165 strikeouts while walking only 19. "She's as good as I've seen at the high-school level," said Monroe coach Curt Eskeback.

Jade Clare

Beamer, catcher, Sr.

Clare capped an outstanding career at the third-year Federal Way school by claiming the South Puget Sound League South Division batting crown with a .576 average. Her 1.076 slugging percentage — which included seven doubles, seven triples, four home runs — was even more impressive. Clare, widely considered the best defensive catcher in the division, has signed with Stony Brook University in New York.

Katie Madson

Sammamish, first baseman, Jr.

The KingCo 3A Conference first-team selection hit .422 with 15 runs batted in during the regular season. Her defense was also a big factor in the Totems' conference championship season, as she didn't commit an error at first base. Madson helped the Bellevue team to a 20-7 record and a Class 3A state tournament berth.

Kristi Sigafoos

Jefferson, second baseman, Sr.

A commitment two years ago to become a better offensive player paid big dividends this season as Sigafoos batted .536 and led the SPSL South in RBI with 31. She slammed five home runs, five doubles and two triples for a slugging percentage of .884 and also scored 25 runs for the Federal Way school. Sigafoos will play next season at Saint Martin's University in Lacey.

Bailey Stenson

Auburn, shortstop, Sr.

Stenson was the Star Times' second baseman last year and moved to shortstop this season without missing a beat, committing only three errors all season. She also switched from hitting right-handed to left and batted .609 with at least one hit in all except one game. The two-time All-SPSL North selection has signed with Washington.

Felecia Harris

Kentlake, third baseman, So.

The Player of the Year in the SPSL North enjoyed a second straight sensational season. She batted .518 as the Falcons shared the division championship. Harris' on-base percentage of .642 and slugging percentage of .714 were equally impressive, as was her 8-0 pitching record and 0.90 ERA in division games.

Amanda Fitzsimmons

Auburn Riverside, outfielder, Fr.

Fitzsimmons, the first freshman ever selected Star Times, led the SPSL North in batting (.623), RBI (tied at 26), on-base percentage (.716) and slugging percentage (1.208), hammering eight doubles, four triples and five home runs. She also went 7-0 as a pitcher and was voted the division MVP as the Ravens won a share of the title. One opposing coach called her the best young player he'd seen in 13 years.

Erin Fisher

Woodinville, outfielder, Sr.

Like her teammate Lindsay Boughton, Fisher made last year's Star Times team while helping the Falcons to a Class 4A state title. The Fordham-bound outfielder is hitting .471 with 11 home runs and five doubles, and had 28 RBI during the regular season. Fisher also has an impressive .626 on-base percentage and 1.189 slugging percentage.

Leslie Ellingsen

Ballard, outfielder, Jr.

Ellingsen hit .632 for Ballard. She is one of the area's top junior athletes and is on pace to earn 12 letters by the time she graduates. Ellingsen was a co-captain of her soccer and fastpitch teams. She also pitches, and the left-hander threw a no-hitter this season for the KingCo 4A Conference school.

Karli Merlich

Kennedy, utility, So.

Merlich, who has pitched and also played first base and outfield, exploded on the scene last year, leading the Lancers to their first state tournament. This season she helped the Burien school capture its first Seamount League King Division championship. She was 10-1 and has not given up an earned run all season. Merlich also is batting .731 and has a 1.288 slugging percentage.

Mike Eckhart

Sammamish, coach

Eckhart, the KingCo 3A Coach of the Year, led the Totems from Bellevue to a 14-0 conference record and the school's first KingCo title in 15 years. Sammamish's last league title came in 1991, Eckhart's first season as head coach.

Karli Merlich, Kennedy

1. Kristi Sigafoos, Jefferson, 2. Jade Clare, Beamer, 3. Erin Fisher, Woodinville, 4. Lindsay Boughton, Woodinville, 5. Karli Merlich, Kennedy, 6. Bailey Stenson, Auburn, 7. Coach Mike Eckhart, Sammamish, 8. Katie Madson, Sammamish, 9. Ashly Forsberg, Lake Stevens, 10. Amanda Fitzsimmons, Auburn Riverside, 11. Leslie Ellingsen, Ballard, 12. Felecia Harris, Kentlake.

The Star Times all-area softball team, skippered by Coach of the Year Mike Eckhart, is ready to ship out aboard the Argosy Cruises' Lady Mary on Elliott Bay. (JOHN LOK / THE SEATTLE TIMES)