Everett softball team blanks Auburn Mountainview
Published 9:59 pm Friday, March 18, 2016
EVERETT — The Auburn Mountainview softball team made a strong impression on Everett coach Mike Millar at last year’s 3A state tournament in Lacey.
It turns out the Rams also noticed the Seagulls.
While the two teams didn’t face off last May, they met in a non-conference game Friday night at Lincoln Field. In a battle of teams eager to return to Lacey, Everett topped Auburn Mountainview 5-0.
“They’re a great team. That’s why I called them up and said, ‘Hey, can we get a game?’” Auburn Mountainview coach Alicia Thompson said. “I just wanted to see how we’d do against a team that caliber..”
Like Everett, the Lions were a young team at last year’s state tournament. Everett graduated just three seniors from last year’s squad, which placed second at state. This season, the Seagulls have five seniors on their roster — compared to just one for Auburn Mountainview.
“I saw them play at state last year and liked what I saw,” Millar said. “I knew they were kind of a young team, like we were last year, and I thought it would be a good matchup and get us ready for league play.”
Led by the Gordon sisters, Everett (2-0) jumped to 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Erin Gordon hit an RBI triple and scored on a double by her sister, sophomore Megan Gordon. Erin Gordon added another RBI triple in the fifth inning and scored on an error on the play. Megan Gordon added an RBI triple in the bottom of the third.
“We’ve got a pretty balanced lineup,” Millar said. “Today it was the Gordon sisters, next game it could be a couple other girls that deliver the big hits.”
The Auburn Riverside offense struggled Friday night. The Lions couldn’t get anything going against Everett senior Sydney Taggart (2-0), who allowed just two hits and struck out eight. “She’s just got a great changeup,” Thompson said.
Thompson listed several reasons why Everett is so tough and ended up praising about half the Seagulls on the roster.
“They hit in the gaps. They’re a powerful opponent at the plate,” Thompson said. “I think they’re a great squad. They obviously have a lot of camaraderie and a great shortstop (Erin Gordon). I was also really impressed by their catcher (sophomore Rachel Christensen). She’s a great player.”
The Lions’ biggest threat came in the top of the third inning when they had two runners on base with one out. But Taggart got a strikeout and a groundout to end the threat and keep Everett in front.
“We knew they had a lot of team speed, especially at the top of their order,” Millar said, “and we figured if we could keep them off the bases, we’d have a pretty good chance of slowing them down a little bit.”
Thompson said the Lions (0-2), who have opened the season with losses to teams that made it to their respective state tournaments last season, are trying to test themselves early in an effort to get back to Lacey — where they wouldn’t mind seeing the Seagulls again.
“Hopefully (we could play Everett again),” Thompson said with a laugh. “I wouldn’t have a problem with that.
“I wish them good luck.”
Everett now sets its eyes on its next non-conference game: a showdown with Everett School District rival Jackson. The Timberwolves, who made it to the 4A state tournament last year, were one of two teams that beat the Seagulls last season, along with Juanita in the 3A championship game.
“We got another tough opponent next week in Jackson. We had a good game against them last year,” Millar said. “We have to get ready for them and a couple league opponents. It’s one game at a time, and the most important game is always our next one.”
At Lincoln Field
Individual highlights: Auburn Mountainview–None. Everett–Erin Gordon (2-2, 2 3B, 2 RBI, 2 R), Megan Gordon (2-2, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI), Sydney Taggart (WP, 2-0, 7 IP, 0 ER, 2 H). Records–Auburn Mountainview 0-2 overall. Everett 2-0.
