Early deficit doesn’t panic Arlington in 18-7 win over Jackson

Published 11:00 pm Thursday, March 22, 2012

ARLINGTON — When Arlington’s softball team came to the plate for the first time, the Eagles found themselves already trailing 4-0.

By the end of the inning, they had a two-run lead.

Arlington continued to score in every inning and ended the nonconference game early because of the mercy rule after scoring two runs in the bottom of the fifth for an 18-7 lead.

“The kids are doing exactly what we’ve been working on doing,” Arlington head coach Lonnie Hicks said. “Taking aggressive cuts at the plate. We’re playing a team that swung their bats well, too.”

After falling behind early, Arlington didn’t panic. Instead, they came right back with five consecutive hits to start the inning and had the lead by the end of it.

Jackson immediately responded in the second inning, scoring two runs to tie the score at six. But Arlington scored four runs each in the second and third innings to pull away.

“All I told them (after the top of the first inning) was I said, ‘hey they got their bats going. We’re okay. We’ve got seven innings to play,’” Hicks said. “… Everybody did their job. It was an overall team win.”

Rachel Backlund started the Eagles off with a single and scored Arlington’s first run when Lynsey Amundson hit a two-run double into left-center field three batters later. Arlington got five more runs off Jackson starter Jessica Roy — and had all nine batters come to the plate — before the inning was over.

Amundson was 2-for-4 with the double and five RBI. The junior catcher got at least one RBI in all four plate appearances.

“She is absolutely a machine this year,” Hicks said. “Her batting average has to be around .800. She’s destroying the ball every time she hits it.”

Katelyn Botten ahd the other big Eagles’ hit. The senior, who was batting in the lineup’s ninth spot, hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. Botten (2-for-3) also had a three-run double in the first inning, giving her four RBI for the game.

“That’s huge for Katelyn,” Hicks said of Botten, who was hurt for part of last season. “She’s playing with a lot of confidence.”

Marisa Rathert (2-for-4) had three RBI, including a one-out, game-ending single in the bottom of the fifth that scored Katelynn McDonald and Kathryn Spear.

Jackson head coach Kyle Peacocke called Arlington a very “disciplined” team with any batter in its lineup capable of a big hit. He pointed out Botten’s home run from the No. 9 spot.

“It’s pretty impressive when you have a lineup that can do that,” Peacocke said.

He said his Timberwolves are a much younger team this year after losing eight players to graduation after last season. There have been some growing pains for Jackson, starting the season 0-4, but Peacocke believes his team will turn it around soon.

“We’re staying positive and continuing to work hard,” Peacocke said. “We’re gonna get better as the season progresses.”

The Timberwolves’ coach said this game shows what his team can do — competing with one of Wesco’s top teams.

“We kept fighting. As the year goes on, we’re gonna get better,” Peacocke said. “Arlington obviously is a very good team. Hands down, the best 4A team in Wesco.”

Jackson’s Dewey Davis batted 2-for-3 with three RBI and leadoff hitter Megan Cooley was 2-for-3 with a run scored.

“Megan Cooley really sets the tone for us,” Peacocke said. “Her and Sarah Casel — the No. 2 batter — have done a good job of getting on base for us.”

Jackson also has been a victim of facing tough opponents to start the season — Lynnwood, Monroe, Kamiak and Arlington.

“(Our) opponents are something like 15-2, so we’ve been playing tough teams,” Peacocke said.

Arlington is off to a 3-1 start to the year. Hicks praised the resiliency of his team, and his players’ determination to have a good season.

“Nothing bothers them,” Hicks said. “Even the loss against Everett. … They did everything right. As long as we keep playing this way it’s going to be a fun season.”

At Arlington H.S.

Jackson42010—790

Arlington64422—18170

Jessica Roy, Erin Bueser (2), Julianna Faulconer (3), Roy (3) and Kayla Ellis. Hayley Fields, Ronnie Ladiness (4) and Lynsey Amundson. WP–Fields (2-0). LP–Roy. 2B–Roy (J), Faulconer (J), Amundson (A), Hayden Fields (A), Kaitlin Botten (A). HR–Botten (A). Records–Jackson 0-4. Arlington 3-1.