Everett, WA - Freshman Emma Hansen had a pair of hits in the first game of the doubleheader against Olympic College and later hit for the cycle in game two, leading the Trojans to two huge wins over the Rangers, 13-4 and 11-2. The hunt for the NWAC playoffs continued on Wednesday afternoon, and the Trojans delivered in a big way, securing two more wins in the north region standings and stretching their win streak to ten games. The Trojans currently sit one game behind north region leader Edmonds, but with 6 more north region games to play, including two against Edmonds, EvCC sits in the driver seat to win their 3rd region championship in the past four seasons.
In the opening game of the day, the Trojans had the bats working early, scoring two runs in the first two innings and opening up a four run lead. Olympic finally got to starting pitcher Alissa Hermansen in the top of the 3rd, by plating four runs of their own, but a huge 6-run inning in the bottom of the third put the Trojans on top for good, eventually winning 13-4 by way of the 8-run rule in the 6th inning. Hermansen pitched all six innings, giving up the 4 runs, on 6 hits and striking out 7 batters. Taryn Takayoshi could not be bested at the plate as she went 4-5 and drove in 6 runs whle Ava Puaatuua went 3-4 in the lead off spot, with a walk, and scored 3 runs. Alli Wilson came around to score 5 times, going 2-3 with two walks and hit her 5th double of the season, bringing her career total to 12. Hansen was the other Trojan with multiple hits as she had a double (12th of the season) and drove in 3 runs. Everett combined for 15 hits and 13 runs, which mirrored the box score the last time these two teams met back on March 23rd in Bremerton.
Everett kept it rolling in game two scoring four runs in the first inning, and another 3rd in the second inning. Freshman Ava Puuatuua pitched a shutout through four innings before finally giving up two runs in the 5th. Leading by six, the Trojans plated three runs in the bottom of the 5th, enacting the 8-run rule. Puaatuua went five innings with the two earned runs, no walks, and struck out two batters, redeeming her last outing against Olympic. Hansen had the big game at the plate with four of the Trojans' 9 hits. Avery Olson hit a triple that drove in a run, and Hermansen doubled for the 8th time this season.
The Trojans will play next in Yakima over the weekend with four scheduled contests, two of which against top ranked teams. Everett will play Yakima on Saturday at 10am, and then will follow against #3 ranked Southwestern Oregon CC at 3:30pm. THen on Sunday, EvCC will face Chemeketa at 11:30am, and cap the weekend against #1 ranked North Idaho College at 2:30pm.
Everett will play their next home game on Friday, April 26th against Edmonds, in a doubleheader that very well could determine who walks away with the region championship in 2024. Those games are scheduled for 2pm and 4pm at Gaffney Field.