Alyssa Tomasini evolves from bunter into Camas’ top hitter

Alyssa Tomasini will flash a smile and laugh when the subject of bunting comes up, like it did this week during Camas’ preparation for this weekend’s Class 4A state softball tournament.

That’s because usually once a game, coach Dale Lunde still wants the Papermakers’ lead-off hitter to lay down a bunt.

In return, Lunde gets the eye roll from the centerfielder.

“I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me?'” Tomasini said.

You see, Tomasini was Camas’ bunting extraordinaire last spring. Her big-time speed in the lead-off spot, what Lunde describes as only Tomasini speed — “Nobody has Tomasini speed in the state,” he said– helped make her a double threat.

But Tomasini craved more, and because of her determination to be a changed hitter in her last season of high school softball, she’s a big reason why the Papermakers (21-2 overall), who open the state tournament at 10 a.m. Friday against Richland at the Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane, are having the season they’re having, Lunde said.

“She ignites this team,” he said.

A natural left hander, Tomasini no longer is a bunt-singles hitter. She learned the art of slap hitting as a senior. She put in extra work with ex-Camas standout Amee Aarhus, now a starting infielder at Utah State after two seasons at Oregon State. She, too, is a slap hitter, and the extra work has paid dividends early for Tomasini.

“My hitting form before slapping was not good,” she said. “It was terrible.”

Now, Tomasini is hitting a team-best .506 with 42 hits entering state.

Unlike many players on Camas’ roster, Tomasini isn’t a club softball player. Soccer is her first love.

She’s signed with NCAA Div. II Western Oregon for women’s soccer, and while Lunde said Tomasini has the skillset to play college softball, she’s also taking the opportunity to embrace what she hopes will be a memorable weekend for Camas softball in Spokane.

“Our team has such a close bond,” she said.

CLASS 4A STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Friday-Saturday, At Merkel Sports Complex, Spokane

Battle Ground (15-10) vs. Moses Lake (17-4), 10 a.m.

Camas (21-2) vs. Richland (19-5), 10 a.m.

CLASS 2A STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Friday-Saturday, At Carlon Park, Selah

Ridgefield (15-4) vs. Sehome (22-1), Noon

CLASS 1A STATE SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT

Friday-Saturday, At Columbia Playfields, Richland

La Center (11-6) vs. South Whidbey (12-11), 10 a.m.