Islander infielders have developed a friendship through softball

Annabel Little and Joey Lurie know each other like the back of their gloves.

They’re longtime friends and softball teammates who are currently in their second year of suiting up for the Mercer Island High School fastpitch squad. During a recent interview, the sophomores laughed together, seemed to know what the other would say and voiced a shared love for the sport they’ve grown up playing on Island diamonds.

The Islanders owned a 2-3 overall record at press time with Little putting her glove into action at shortstop and Lurie holding down her spot at third base.

Little said this is one of the strongest teams the Islanders have fielded in a long time and she’s excited to play with her best friends and put in some hard work each day.

Lurie added that the team should be able to hold its own this season and the program will only get stronger in the years to come now that the district has launched a middle school program.

The Islanders are lucky to have sophomore Ashlyn Powell and freshman Estella Roodman delivering solid pitches from the circle, Lurie said.

When fastpitch is in season, it’s Lurie’s favorite time of the year.

“It’s so fun. Last year, I made some of my closest friends who I spent all of summer with. They were kind of my quarantine group because last year was the middle of COVID, so we all became really close,” she said.

Fastpitch time is family time for Little, who said the players have developed tight bonds.

“We know where each other (is) going to go and we know what we’re going to do with the ball, which is just so exhilarating. Especially when you make a great play, like a dive or a great hit, and you just know your whole family’s there to back you up,” said Little, who aims to spread awareness about fastpitch and bring more younger girls into the fold.

Little added that while playing fastpitch, the girls can display their skills while feeling free and escaping any worries they may have faced during the school day.

The Reporter asked Lurie and Little a series of questions to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their lives:

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Lurie: Lack of effort. You know what, everyone makes mistakes every once in a while, whatever, it happens, just go back and fix it. My second biggest pet peeve is uniforms. When people wear not-matching uniforms or people don’t tuck in their jersey or don’t have their hair up, or their socks are too short for their softball pants. I have another one: sunflower seeds in the dugout and on the field — it’s disgusting.

Little: The lack of communication. Because if no one’s yelling, then you’re just like, ‘Oh my gosh, we could have had that out,’ and then you blame yourself. You’re like, ‘What could I do more?’ Then it’s just like, if we just talked, this could have been better.

What’s your favorite movie of all time?

Lurie: A cliche — I kind of like the “Pitch Perfect” series. That’s a reliable one.

Little: “Twilight.” So many people talk bad about it, but I swear, if you just watch it once (you’ll like it). It’s so bad, like in a good way.

What’s a special skill that you’d like to learn?

Little: Specifically in softball, I really want to learn how to do a diving play, but get up right afterwards and throw from my knees. ‘Cause one of my biggest inspirations, her name is Sis Bates, she was on the Washington Husky team and she was shortstop and she had these amazing diving plays where she would just glide across the turf and get up immediately and get these super amazing plays.

Lurie: Consistent home runs. I’ve hit two home runs, but I want to be one of those batters who comes up and has three home run balls at the end of a tournament. I’m kind of small to be a power hitter, but I want to get to the point where I’m very reliable when it comes to that. I am for base hits, but not home runs.

What type of music do you listen to?

Lurie: Honestly, whatever is on. I have Spotify, so I listen to songs a couple times and now it makes daily mixes. I had a big “Hamilton” phase for a while, so every once in a while, I’ll go through the soundtrack a couple times. It’s fun now that I can drive because I can just play music.

Little: Some people make fun of me for this, but I am a huge rock fan and I’ll listen to it with my dad. We’ll listen to Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers and we’re actually going to a concert this summer. I just always put it on, especially before softball, getting myself hyped up. It’s just the best vibes.

What superpower would you like to have?

Lurie: Either flying or being invisible. Who doesn’t want to fly? And then being invisible could be so useful in so many ways. If you’re somewhere you’re not supposed to be: just go invisible. You wouldn’t do this, but if you’re trying to get into a concert and you don’t have a ticket.

Little: Probably reading minds. I always have this fear that someone can read my mind and I don’t know. If I could read minds, then I can read them reading my mind, and so basically it’s the ultimate defense mechanism.

If you could go to dinner with one person, who would that be?

Lurie: Harry Styles or Michelle Obama.

Little: Robert Pattinson. I’ve said that “Twilight” is my favorite movie, but he seems so funny. If you look through his interviews, he just says the most out-of-pocket things and I think that would be hilarious to sit with him.

ISLANDERS SCHEDULE

March 30: HAZEN, 4:30 p.m.

April 1: at Lake Washington, 6:30 p.m.

April 4: INTERLAKE, 4:30 p.m.

April 6: at Liberty, 4 p.m.

April 8: at Bellevue, 4:30 p.m.

April 18: BALLARD, 4:30 p.m.

April 20: at Juanita, 4:30 p.m.

April 22: at Hazen, 4 p.m.

April 25: LAKE WASHINGTON, 4:30 p.m.

April 27: at Interlake, 4:30 P.M.

April 29: LIBERTY, 4:30 p.m.