Lake Stevens’ Camryn Dubois scores a run as Monroe’s Taylor Durant points to second base during Monday’s game in Lake Stevens. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Lake Stevens’ Camryn Dubois scores a run as Monroe’s Taylor Durant points to second base during Monday’s game in Lake Stevens. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Lake Stevens softball team defeats Monroe, remains unbeaten

LAKE STEVENS — Hard-throwing lefty junior Sara Johnson has elevated her game to the next level.

And her dominance in the circle this season is one of the biggest factors behind the Lake Stevens softball team’s perfect start.

Johnson recorded 14 strikeouts and tossed a three-hit shutout in yet another dazzling performance Monday, leading the unbeaten Vikings to a 2-0 win over visiting Monroe in a battle of Wesco 4A title contenders.

“I think she felt cheated last year,” Lake Stevens coach Sarah Hirsch said. “She knows that she struggled probably more than she should have, and she came into this season saying, ‘I want to be better, coach.’ I said, ‘We can do that.’ So we’ve just been working really hard … (and) she’s done a phenomenal job.”

Led by Johnson, the Vikings (9-0 overall, 5-0 Wesco 4A) are allowing just 1.7 runs per game this season, including a mere 0.8 per game in conference play. That’s a decline from the 3.1 allowed per game last year, when Lake Stevens finished 11-10 after being eliminated two games into the district tournament.

“I think I’ve matured since then, figuring out what works for me,” Johnson said.

Monday was Johnson’s second three-hit shutout against an elite opponent in less than a week, dating back to her gem last Tuesday in a 3-0 win over previously unbeaten Jackson.

Johnson knew she needed to be on top of her game with Monroe junior pitcher and University of Washington commit McKenzie Schulz on the other side. Schulz yielded only four hits and didn’t allow a run until the sixth inning, but was outdueled by Johnson in just the latest showdown between the two star pitchers.

“We’ve always gone back and forth with each other,” Johnson said. “We’ve played each other since we were little girls, and so we’ve always had that competitive edge against each other.”

Lake Stevens and Monroe (6-4, 2-2) were deadlocked in a scoreless tie until the bottom of the sixth, when the Vikings finally broke through.

Lake Stevens junior Camryn DuBois helped key the inning by lining a two-out double into the right-center field gap, putting runners on second and third with two outs. Sydney Haynes, a senior, then grounded a two-run single in between shortstop and third base to give the Vikings a 2-0 lead.

“(In DuBois’ previous) at-bat, she popped up right in front of the plate,” Hirsch said. “We talked a little bit about it, and she made the adjustment. It was like she knew (the pitch) was coming, and she was ready to roll for it. So I’m proud of her for that.”

The two-run lead was more than enough for Johnson, who capped her brilliant outing by striking out the side in the seventh to seal the victory. Johnson walked only two batters and didn’t allow a runner past second base.

At the midway point of the season, Lake Stevens is in sole possession of first place in Wesco 4A. But the Vikings aren’t focused on that — or their unblemished record.

“We’re just going game to game,” Johnson said, “because we learned from years past that anyone can beat anyone.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Silvertips forward Carter Bear fields questions after the Detroit Red Wings selected him 13th overall in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft in Los Angeles on June 27, 2025. (Photo courtesy Natalie Shaver / CHL)
Two weeks after Draft, Silvertips’ Bear still can’t believe it

The Red Wings’ first-rounder reflects on draft night and his experience at Detroit’s development camp.

Storm flies too close to the Sun, loses in an upset

Connecticut snapped a 10-game losing streak to beat Seattle 93-83 on Wednesday morning.

Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees flips his bat after hitting a three-run home run in the sixth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in New York. (Evan Bernstein / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Raleigh, Judge heat up homer race at Yankee Stadium

In the battle of baseball’s biggest sluggers, Aaron Judge… Continue reading

Seattle Seahawks linebackers Derick Hall (58) and Boye Mafe (53) celebrate a defensive play during the 2024 season. (Rio Giancarlo / Getty Images / The Athletic)
Season to reveal long-term plans for Seahawks linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks selected edge rusher Boye Mafe with… Continue reading

Silvertips defenseman wins U20 Ball Hockey World Title with Canada

Rylan Pearce helps Canada win gold at the ISBHF U20 World Championships in Slovakia.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) makes a catch against San Francisco 49ers defensive back Rashard Robinson (33) in the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2017. (Nhat V. Meyer / Bay Area News Group / Tribune News Services)
Sports psychologist changed Seahawks’ Doug Baldwin’s outlook

The former receiver overcame intense emotions during his player career

Paolo Banchero, Orlando agree to max contract extension

The former O’Dea star could earn up to $287 million over five years.

NHL players, owners vote to ratify 4-year CBA

Notable changes include an 84-game season starting in 2026, shorter contract terms.

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

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.