Yakima, WA - The Trojans traveled to Yakima over the weekend to participate in the NWAC's annual Strikeout Cancer Crossover Tournament. in conjunction with the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), many of the teams wore pink uniforms to aid in awareness efforts in the battle against cancer. Over 20 NWAC teams made the trip to get four games with opponents outside of their own region. The cross region games help to build validity in the RPI ratings, the system used to rank all 26 NWAC schools and will be used to seed the 16 team NWAC tournament. The Trojans (10-4) entered the weekend as one of the top offensive teams, averaging 14.5 runs per game and hoping to climb up in the rankings with contests scheduled against Treasure Valley (12-12), Walla Walla (21-5), Clackamas (14-9), and Big Bend (2-14).
In the opening game, Everett found a way to score runs, though it was not enough to overcome a ten-spot to Treasure Valley and EvCC fell in extra innings for the second time this season. Madison German continued her power hitting streak, and cranked out two home runs while driving in 3 total runs. The loss seemed to take the wind out of the sails for the second game of the day, and Everett fell in 5 innings to NWAC power Walla Walla. It was the first run rule loss for the Trojans in 36 contests, and uncharacteriscally unproductive on the offensive end as EvCC mustered just 3 hits and scored only two runs. Madison German had the lone RBI single and Savanna Ah Mook Sang-Frank the only extra base hit, a double in the 3rd inning.
The Trojans hoping to right the ship, faced Clackamas on Sunday morning, an opponent they were supposed to play back on March 3rd but had the game cancelled due to weather. Everett got on the board first, scoring 4 runs in the 4th inning, but Clackamas responded right back scoring 4 in the 4th as well, and then proceeded to score in the 5th and 6th to put the game away 9-4. Serina Penrod pitched a solid game despite the 9 runs. She went three scoreless innings giving up just 3 hits, before a two out error in the 4th sparked Clackamas' offense. All total Penrod allowed just 3 earned runs and struck out three batters with just two walks. Leiloa Bustamante and Jordyn Lono each turned in 3-hit ball games, Jordyn with her 7th double of the season and also drove in 2 of the four runs. Avery Olson and Savanna Ah Mook Sang-Frank had the other two RBI's. The Trojans out hit the Cougars 13 to 10 but errors and a failure to get the timely hits led to the third straight loss. This is the first time EvCC has lost 3 in a row since the 2020 season that was eventually cancelled due to COVID.
Everett finally got back to the win column, and looked more like themselves with an offensive breakthrough, scoring 21 runs against Big Bend. The team combined for 18 hits with four doubles, two triples, and two home runs. Jordyn Lono and Isabelle Hansen each went 3 for four, Hansen just needing a double to complete the cycle, and Lono missing a home run, though she did drive in 6 RBI's to bring her season total up to an even 50 which leads the team and is tied for 5th all time on the EvCC single season RBI list. Madison German cranked out her 3rd homer of the weekend bringing her season total up to 11 and now leads the team in long balls. Ivane Aholelei got on base four times, with two doubles, a single, and a walk. She also came around to score. Freshman pitcher Morgan Epperson pitched all 5 innings giving up 10 runs on 9 hits, but she also struck out a career high 10 batters.
Though the weekend produced only one win, EvCC holds steady in the RPI rankings at #11 with 16 north region games remaining. Everett will get back at it on Wednesday on the road at Pierce College. The Raiders are 3-14 on the season but have had some narrow losses and most recently scored 21 runs against Grays Harbor. Game times are set for 4pm and 6pm at the Heritage Recreation Center in Puyallup, WA.