Munger makes huge contributions to St. Martin’s University’s softball team

  • By Rich Myhre Herald Writer
  • Monday, May 4, 2015 8:58pm
  • SportsSports

In a senior season that is already outstanding to date, Sam Munger of Everett has a chance to do something even more special.

Munger, a 2011 graduate of Cascade High School, found out Monday morning that her St. Martin’s University softball team has qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament, and will open regional play Thursday against host Dixie State University in St. George, Utah. It is the next step in a journey that Munger and her teammates hope will ultimately lead to the national championship tournament in Oklahoma City later this month.

The chance to play in the postseason “is very exciting,” Munger said. “We’re all just excited to get back out there and show what we can do.”

It will be a tough assignment, to be sure. Dixie State has a 44-7 record, is the top-ranked team in the West Region, and has a 22-0 record on its home field this season.

But the way Munger sees it, the opener of the double-elimination regional tournament “is just another game, honestly. There’ll be dirt, bases, a mound and a plate, so it’s just another game to all of us.”

Moreover, there is also the dream of capping her senior season with a run to the national tournament, and perhaps even to a national championship.

“That’d be an awesome way to go out my senior year,” she said. “I just love this group of girls. It’s like a family. I’m not ready for it to end and I’m sure they’re not either.”

Certainly, the team’s success this season has a lot to do with Munger, who was the GNAC’s Pitcher of the Year and co-Player of the Year. Her 2.24 ERA led the conference in the regular season and her 22 pitching wins ranked second. Likewise, her .431 batting average was second in the league.

For those accomplishments, Munger was a unanimous All-GNAC selection while becoming only the seventh player in league history to be named to the all-conference team four times.

In those four seasons, her contributions to the St. Martin’s softball program have been “in one sense immeasurable,” said Saints head coach Rick Noren. “But I suppose if you look at the numbers it’s pretty measurable. And not only her batting average, but the extra-base hits, stolen bases and on-base percentage. At that point you see that she’s a well-rounded player that does just about everything for you offensively.

“And then when you combine that with the pitching numbers she’s put up, you see that she’s one of the most unique combinations ever,” he said.

Munger started playing softball when she was 5 and eventually joined Triple Threat, a top club team with players from in and around Snohomish County. She went on to win four varsity letters at Cascade and was a two-time first-team All-Western Conference pick, which led her to be recruited by several colleges in the Northwest and on the East Coast.

The funny thing is, Noren was in his first season as the St. Martin’s head coach and had yet to reach out to Munger. But some of her Triple Threat teammates were playing for the Saints and they encouraged her to contact Noren, which resulted in a recruiting visit.

“Just walking around, I fell in love with it right then and there,” she said of the Lacey campus.

Munger plays shortstop when she is not pitching and says she likes “both of them about equally. But if I had to choose, I’d probably choose pitching. Pitching is nice because you get to have the ball in your hand all the time.”

She throws six pitches — fastball, changeup, dropball, screwball, riseball and curve — and says “my best pitch would be my riseball. I didn’t have one coming into college, so it was new to me when I first threw it. But it’s a natural motion, so it’s easy to throw.”

Two year’s ago, the Saints reached the championship game of the regional tournament, only to fall to Humboldt State and miss out on advancing. Now Munger, who says her years at St. Martin’s “have gone by really fast,” wants to see the team capture a regional title and then maybe more.

“It’d just be an awesome way to go out for us seniors,” said Munger, who will graduate with a business degree and a minor in economics. “And it’d be something I’ll remember forever.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.