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)
EVERETT — Solo homers from leadoff hitters in the first and seventh innings were the two high-octane offensive plays that Jackson needed to knock off previously undefeated Bothell in a heavyweight showdown on Friday night at the Phil Johnson Ballfields.
The No. 2 seeded Timberwolves softball team escaped with a 2-1 win over the Cougars to claim the 4A District 1/2 Tournament championship.
“Our kids have battled all year, they’ve played awesome for us all year,” Jackson coach Kyle Peacocke said. “Two huge home runs, one to start the game, and the one at the end from Hailey Pelletier after (Bothell) had tied it up. … Just absolutely clutch.”
On the first at-bat of the contest, junior shortstop Rachel Sysum, a Fresno State commit, caught the Cougars off guard and whacked a solo shot to left field on a 2-2 count. She went 3-for-3 at the plate in the game, adding a stolen base.
Junior and UNLV signee Yanina Sherwood started for Jackson (21-1), helping blank Bothell (24-1) from the first-through-fifth innings, before giving up one run in the sixth. She struck out six, walked one and allowed six hits in a full showing in the circle as the Cougars didn’t get a leadoff hitter on base until the fifth inning.
After the Cougars worked their way into scoring position in the sixth, senior Maleah Andrews delivered an RBI double, plating senior Rachel Traxler to tie it up 1-1.
With extra innings seeming like a possibility, Pelletier, a junior, belted a line drive for the go-ahead homer that ended up being enough for Jackson to sink the Cougars in seven.
“We knew we were facing a tough team and a tough pitcher,” Peacocke said. “We knew we had to stay locked in and be ready for pitches to hit, and we ended up getting two shots from two leaders. … We’re just gonna enjoy this one for the weekend and we’ll re-group on Monday and get ready for the state tournament.”
A batter walks up to the plate during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Jackson players take a moment for a prayer before the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Yanina Sherwood pitches during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Reese Westman fields the ball during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Yanina Sherwood prepares to pitch during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Jackson teammate cheers before the start of the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Reese Westman watches a foul ball during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Bothell’s Rachel Traxler reacts to getting to third and scoring position to tie up the game on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Reese Westman fields the ball during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Hailey Pelletier claps while running the bases after hitting a homer to give Jackson the lead during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Hailey Pelletier runs into home after hitting a homerun during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Hailey Pelletier reacts to teammate Yanina Sherwood sticking someone out during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Hailey Pelletier hug a teammate after beating Bothell to become the 3A district champions on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Yanina Sherwood cries while hugging catcher and teammate Leneyah Mitchell after beating Bothell to become the 3A district champions on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Jackson’s Yanina Sherwood lifts the district trophy in the air after beating Bothell to become the 3A district champions on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
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