Jackson’s Julia Dillion celebrates after scoring a run during the Timberwolves’ 16-2 rout of Wesco 4A rival Lake Stevens in Saturday night’s 4A state championship game at Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Jackson’s Julia Dillion celebrates after scoring a run during the Timberwolves’ 16-2 rout of Wesco 4A rival Lake Stevens in Saturday night’s 4A state championship game at Dwight Merkel Sports Complex in Spokane. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Jackson wins 2nd straight 4A state softball title

The Timberwolves routed Lake Stevens 16-2 in an all-Wesco state championship game.

SPOKANE — An all-Wesco final meant not only Snohomish County supremacy was on the line, but for the entire state as well.

Jackson didn’t want to give up its throne. And the Timberwolves showed so in emphatic fashion.

The Timberwolves came out on top in the battle of two conference rivals, as Jackson toppled Lake Stevens, 16-2, in a five-inning game to claim the program’s second consecutive 4A state title.

The Timberwolves are the first back-to-back 4A state softball champions since Kelso in 2009 and 2010.

“We felt like it was us against the world,” Jackson head coach Kyle Peacocke said. “That’s just the mentality they took about halfway through the season. They came together about halfway through the season and they said we’re going to do it, despite what everybody says and what happens.”

Jackson inflicted its initial damage in the third inning, as Julia Dillon led off the frame with a double to right, Iyanla de Jesus was intentionally walked and Jillian Hampson legged out an infield single to load the bases. Macy Tarbox’s two-run single and Laina Delgado’s sacrifice fly helped unload them to put the Timberwolves up 3-1.

Then, the Timberwolves blew the game wide open.

Dillon clubbed an RBI double and Hampson walked with the bases loaded to chase Lake Stevens starter Kaylie Hoskins out of the game in the fourth. Then the Timberwolves scored four more runs on a fielder’s choice, an error, a groundout and a wild pitch to assemble a commanding 9-1 lead.

The Timberwolves added seven insurance runs in the fifth to massage its lead and prompt the 10-run mercy rule.

Timely hitting was sparked in part by Lake Stevens’ decison to intentionally walk star two-way player, de Jesus, for each of her at-bats, according to Peacocke.

“They’ve been walking ‘Ice’ all year and the team’s been frustrated,” he said. “They all came together and said if we ever get that opportunity again, we’re going to hit. One through nine, we’re going to hit. They did it as a team and it was awesome.”

The offensive explosion capped a four-game journey of a day for the Timberwolves, with Jackson winning all four of its games on Saturday to capture the state title.

And it was close to not happening it all.

Jackson received some magic from an unlikely figure, its No. 9 hitter in Dillon, as the junior outfielder poked a walk-off single to left in the bottom of the ninth to propel Jackson over Camas, 4-3, in a dramatic extra-inning win in the opening round.

“That was probably one of the most nerve-wracking at-bats I’ve ever had in my career,” Dillon said after the win over Camas. “When I saw that ball go through the infield, I was so hyped up and all my emotions just kind of came out and I knew this was what was best for the team and we won the game and that we’re moving on.”

Then in the semifinals, Jackson assembled a 4-2 lead with three outs to play, but almost squandered it after loading the bases for Redmond’s Kiki Milloy, a University of Tennessee commit and daughter of former NFL safety Lawyer Milloy.

But de Jesus fanned her to send the Timberwolves into the championship game.

“To be honest, I was freaking out,” Peacocke said. “I was thinking to myself, oh it comes to this? But ‘Ice’ came through and she’s the best pitcher in the state of Washington and she showed it.”

Jackson ace Iyanla De Jesus celebrates striking out a Lake Stevens batter during the state championships game. The two-way star pitched 23 innings in four games Saturday during the Timberwolves’ state-title run. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Jackson ace Iyanla De Jesus celebrates striking out a Lake Stevens batter during the state championships game. The two-way star pitched 23 innings in four games Saturday during the Timberwolves’ state-title run. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

De Jesus, aknown as “Ice” by her coaches and teammates, allowed two runs on three hits and struck out seven for the Timberwolves in Saturday’s state title game.

The numbers weren’t as gaudy this time around, when she allowed seven runs instead of just three during last year’s run, but given the circumstances in which de Jesus (formerly Pennington) pitched the majority of all four of Jackson’s wins on Saturday, it was a guttier performance.

“The fire, desire, will, she was going to do it no matter what,” Peacocke said. “She was determined. I’ve never met a kid like that, never seen a kid like that. (She’s) just a very special high school athlete.”

How’s her arm feel after pitching 23-plus innings in one day?

“Surprisingly, my arm is fine,” de Jesus said. “It’s my legs that are a little sore, but I wasn’t feeling that during the games.”

The Vikings struck first in the state title game, as Anna Lucas legged out an infield single and Alexis Psardelis drove her in all the way from first by dumping an RBI single to center in the first to put Lake Stevens up 1-0. Kiley Hubby roped a solo homer to left in the fourth for Lake Stevens’ only other run run.

One of the storylines with the tournament condensed mostly all into Saturday was how it would impact pitching. Both teams did their best to keep their aces fresh.

Jackson’s only chance to rest de Jesus came in its quarterfinal win over Tahoma, as Amanda Wingert tossed 2 1/3 innings in the 7-2 win.

Lake Stevens, which played three games on Saturday after playing one of the only four games before inclement weather derailed Friday’s action, rested Hoskins for two outs in the Vikings’ 12-4 win over Skyview in the quarterfinals and for the first inning-plus of their 6-3 semifinal win over Richland.

Vikings catcher Hubby was a standout for Lake Stevens, clubbing three home runs over four games, including a two homer, five-RBI performance against Skyview.

Lake Stevens advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 2014 this season, despite capturing at least a share of the Wesco 4A regular season crown the past three seasons.

The Vikings will graduate key seniors Hoskins, Rachael Eichenberger and Emma Fortney, but 2019 was a year of progress for Lake Stevens.

“I think it’s really sweet,” Lake Stevens head coach Sarah Hirsch said. “The rumor was before the season started was Lake Stevens doesn’t have anything, across the whole league. For us to show up with kids who could actually play and coaches calling other coaches saying, ‘Is Kaylie Hoskins really that good,’ and her saying, ‘Yup, I’m really that good.’

“Just going from people saying, ‘Oh, they’re just alright,’ to second in state is great for us. The girls are fired up and I’m excited to see what else happens.”

Jackson will lose three seniors, all of which are significant contributors: de Jesus, Tarbox and Jessica Asantor.

But their ride together came with the sweetest of endings.

“We all grew up playing together, so all of this is huge,” Asantor said of the back-to-back state titles. “Yeah, we get the trophy and we get the plaque and we get a banner, but all that stuff doesn’t matter. What matters is we put it all out on the field for each other and I would go out for the person next for me and it really shows how much of a family we are.”

Grizzlies fall short of trophy

Glacier Peak won three consolation games, but fell short of a third-place trophy on Saturday, falling to the team that knocked the Grizzlies out in the opening round, 3-2.

The Grizzlies fell, 10-6, to the Bombers in the opening-round game, but responded by knocking off Eastlake, 2-1, thumping Chiawana, 13-3, and edging Tahoma, 4-3.

Due to time constraints, the third-place game wasn’t played on Saturday and both teams that advanced to the consolation final were awarded trophies.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (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.