Prep softball: Big inning boosts Snohomish over Monroe

MONROE — For two scoreless innings, Wednesday’s Snohomish-Monroe softball game was shaping up to be a dandy pitchers’ duel.

It all changed in the third inning.

The Panthers turned five hits, two walks, a hit batter and three Monroe errors into a seven-run inning, and it was all the offense they needed — and then some. Snohomish tacked on a single run in the fourth and three more in the sixth for an 11-0 Wesco 4A North victory over the Bearcats on a drippy day at Sky River Park.

The six-inning (10-run rule) win keeps the Panthers unbeaten through five games in the young season.

Before the first pitch, Snohomish coach Lou Kennedy said, “I figured we’d be looking at maybe a 5-3 game, and it could go either way. But today was outstanding for us, so I’m pretty happy.”

Every player in the Panthers’ starting lineup scored at least once and got on base at least twice. The top three players in the batting order — center fielder Trysten Melhart, shortstop Jennie Winston and third baseman Katlyn Purvis — all reached base four times with a combined six hits, five walks and a hit by pitch.

Melhart had the game’s biggest hit, a bases-clearing triple to cap the team’s seven-run third.

According to Winston, prolific offense is nothing new for the Panthers. Snohomish has scored in double digits in all of their five games this season, so “we can definitely put up some runs,” she said.

For the Bearcats, meanwhile, it was an obviously sobering outcome. “It hurts to get spanked like that,” said Monroe coach Curt Eskeback.

Snohomish starting pitcher Bailey Seek, a junior who has already committed to Weber State University, checked the Bearcats on four hits while striking out five and walking just one. She faced just three hitters over the minimum.

Seek was never in serious trouble, though twice her defense helped end potential Monroe rallies. The Panthers turned two double plays and Purvis, another junior, was responsible for both.

In the second inning, Purvis made a running shoestring catch of a Monroe bunt attempt and followed with a strong throw to first base to double off the runner. Two innings later, with one out and Monroe runners at second and third, she snagged a sharp line drive and won a footrace to third base for an unassisted double play.

“Katlyn’s a Hoover (vacuum cleaner),” Kennedy said with a smile. “She’s been All-Wesco two years in a row and she’s got the fastest hands you’ll ever find. I can’t hit the ball by her in practice. She’s amazing.”

For the Panthers, Wednesday’s decision was a bit of payback for last season, when Monroe handed them a painful loss at the district tournament. Snohomish would later lose another game and come up short of the 2012 state tournament, which is something the team’s veteran players have yet to forget.

Heading into Wednesday’s game, “we definitely wanted to get a little bit of revenge,” Winston said. “We wanted to win this game by a lot.”

Having watched his team open the season with five straight wins — and pummel all five opponents — Kennedy is optimistic about the Panthers’ prospects.

“Without a doubt, this is the best team I’ve had in nine years (as head coach),” he said. “We have depth in pitching with three kids that can throw. We have multiple kids that can play extra positions ? so our (overall) depth is amazing. We have kids who are subs for us that would start on most teams.

“So for us, the sky’s the limit,” he said. “We think big and now we’ll see.”

And for the Bearcats, there will surely be better days.

“I’ve said it before, you have to compete,” Eskeback said. “If the other team gets ahead, you have to battle back and (overcome) adversity. So there’s not much you can say except that we just have to come out and practice harder (today).”

At Sky River Park

Snohomish 007 103 —11 12 1

Monroe 000 000 —0 4 5

Seek and Greenlee; Egan and Delmare. WP—Seek. LP—Egan. 2B—Seek (S), Goodwin (S), Pisac (S), Johnson (M). 3B—Melhart (S), Pisac (S). Records—Snohomish is 1-0 in league, 5-0 overall; Monroe is 0-1, 2-5.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (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.