Lakewood, WA - Everett took to the road yesterday afternoon for the second meeting this year with Pierce College. The Trojans defeated Pierce in two games less than 10 days ago by final scores of 9-1 and 2-1 and were hoping to duplicate that performance with another sweep of the Raiders.
EvCC was geared up early, putting up 5 runs in the top half of the 1st inning. After back to back Trojan batters were hit by pitches, Kayla Tuaoa followed up with a 2-run double, only to be out-done by Isabelle Hansen's 3 run home run two batters later. Riley Mae Swanson got the start in game one, and looked solid through the first two innings holding Pierce to no hits and giving up just one walk. Everett provided more run support in the 3rd inning, again Izzy Hansen would come through with a timely hit, driving in Mele Turner who had just doubled the at bat prior. Hansen would then get into scoring position with a stolen base, and Kaitlynn Bridgewater singled to bring home Hansen, tacking on two runs on three hits. Swanson conceded a run in the 3rd inning, but went on to pitch two more shut out innings. That would be enough as the Trojans enacted the 8-run rule by scoring three more runs in the top of the 5th, highlighted by a Meleana Turner solo homerun and Madison German's 2-run single. The final score ended 10-1.
Swanson had one of her best outings of the year giving up just 4 hits and 3 walks, and one earned run while striking out 7 batters. The list of offensive highlights is long but probably most highlighted by Isabelle Hansen's 2 for 3 game at the plate that drove in 4 runs, including the home run, her first of the season and 8th of her career. Mele Turner had a solid game worth mentioning going 2 for 3 with a double and a solo home run, also her first of the season and 7th in her career.
Kaylie Hoskins took the circle in game two and continued her dominating fashion, throwing a no hitter and striking out 13 batters in five innings of work. She was just three walks away from pitching the perfect game. It was her first no hitter of the season and second of her collegiate career and the 13 strikeouts bring her season total up to 97, currently 2nd most in the NWAC. Her 2.67 ERA has steadily come down after a slower start to the season and is now the third lowest ERA in the NWAC. The offense followed up the first game performance with 12 more runs. Leiloa Bustamante and Kaitlynn Bridgewater each had 3 for 4 games (Bustamante with a triple) and drove in 2 runs. Every Trojan in the lineup got at least one hit and all but one came around to score at least once. Final score of game to was decided in the 5th inning, 12-0.
The Trojans climb to #6 in the RPI which is ultimately used for playoff seeding. Still a lot of softball yet to be played, starting with the NWAC Crossover Tournament this upcoming weekend. The Trojans are slated to play against Treasure Valley, Big Bend, Mt. Hood, and Walla Walla who is currently the number 1 ranked RPI team boasting a 20-2 record.
All games for the NWAC Crossover will be at the Chehalis Sports Complex in Centralia, WA
Saturday, April 9th
9:00am vs Big Bend CC
12:00pm vs Walla Walla CC
Sunday, April 10th
11:00am vs Treasure Valley CC
4:00pm vs Mt. Hood CC