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Marysville Pilchuck softball powers into 3A state tournament

Published 1:30 am Friday, May 18, 2018

By Zac Hereth

EVERETT — After a season-ending loss to Edmonds-Woodway in a winner-to-state game last year, the Marysville Pilchuck softball team set a goal to get back to the state tournament in 2018.

They accomplished that goal on Thursday, and qualified for state for the second time in three years.

McKenzie Justice struck out eight in a two-hit shutout and blasted two solo home runs, Chloe Morgan was a sparkplug at the top of the lineup and the Tomahawks blanked Meadowdale 8-0 in 3A Northwest District tournament winner-to-state game at Phil Johnson Fields.

“They came out today and got it done,” Tomahawks coach Aaron Zachry said of his team. “They’re excited. We’re excited to get in. There’s 16 teams left and everybody’s got a shot. I’m proud of the girls.”

The Tomahawks (20-4) got on the board first when junior Sydney Zachry singled home Morgan, a senior, in the top of the first.

Junior Lily Fischer crushed a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence to make it 3-0 in the top of the third, scoring Morgan.

“I have a lot of trust in (Fischer and Justice),” said Morgan, who scored four runs in four plate appearances. “I just think ‘Get on base anyway you can.’ Because they’re coming to hit me in. I know they’re gonna hit me in every single time.”

Justice followed with a solo shot to dead center, battling back from an 0-2 count to work a seven-pitch at-bat.

“This weekend I’ve kind of been in a slump a little bit — striking out,” Justice said. “But I trusted my mechanics, stayed back and hit the ball. I knew I was out in front, so I made that adjustment and it worked well for me.”

The Tomahawks extended their lead in the fourth when Morgan hit a deep line drive that was mishandled by the left fielder. The Marysville Pilchuck leadoff hitter flew all the way around the bases to make it 5-0.

“She is the epitome of a leadoff batter,” Aaron Zachry said. “… She’s just been on fire putting the ball in play. She knows she’s the catalyst that starts this thing out.”

Fischer nearly added her second home run two batters later, hooking a long line drive just left of the foul pole.

Justice continued to help herself on the mound with an opposite-field shot to right-center in the seventh inning, giving Marysville Pilchuck a 7-0 lead.

Senior Katie Barrett and sophomore Alissa Edge drove in runs on sacrifice flies for the Tomahawks.

The Mavericks were only able to move a runner into scoring position twice.

With the loss, a streak of six straight state-tournament appearances ends for Meadowdale (15-9).

The 3A state tournament starts next Friday in Lacey.

“We went to state sophomore year and it’s nothing like going this year,” Justice said. “This team is something special.”

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