South Whidbey off to state after shutting out Klahowya 17-0

By Joe Johnson

Herald Writer

SEDRO-WOOLLEY – South Whidbey’s fastpitch softball team set a goal at the beginning of the season to reach the state tournament, and the Falcons completed that goal with a third-round, 17-0 victory over Klahowya in the Class 2A bi-district tournament Saturday afternoon.

Going into the game with a “win and you’re in” attitude, the Falcons jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first inning and then cruised to the victory, guaranteeing their season would continue.

Coach Renee Christian was proud of her team’s performance.

“We lost our first three games this season, but then really re-grouped and have played well down the stretch,” she said. “The team said at the beginning of the year they wanted to make the state tournament, and they peaked at the right time to achieve that goal.”

Julie Robinson led the offensive surge for South Whidbey, finishing 4-for-5 with four RBI, including two in the third inning when the Falcons opened up a 9-0 lead.

Jenny Murphy added two RBI for South Whidbey with a fourth-inning triple that stretched the lead to 11-0.

“We got some momentum early and just kept it going,” said Christian. “We also got a good pitching effort from Nici Eaton, and we’re fortunate to have four quality pitchers we can depend on.”

Eaton did her part to insure the trip to the state tournament as she gave up just two hits in the five-inning victory.

Eaton and J. Murphy, K. Sjostrom and Jackson. WP-Eaton. LP-K. Sjostrom. 2B-J. Murphy(SW). 3B-M. Murphy (SW). Records-South Whidbey 13-6 overall. Klahowya 10-14.

South Whidbey 4, Foster 3: Keasha Campbell’s infield single scored Jenny Murphy with the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning in South Whidbey’s first-round victory.

South Whidbey	000	030	1	–	4	8	2
Foster	200	010	0	–	3	8	1

Lopez and J. Murphy, R. Leonardo and Tinkler. WP-Lopez. LP-Leonardo. 2B-R. Leonardo (F), Tinkler (F), Lopez (SW). Records-South Whidbey 12-5 overall. Foster 14-5.

Lakewood 3, Klahowya 2: Jamie Hassing led Lakewood with two hits in the Cougars’ first-round victory.

Klahowya	011	000	0	–	2	8	3
Lakewood	102	000	x	–	3	4	2

Bruins and K. Sjostrom, Moore and Barker. WP-Moore. LP-Bruins. 2B-Westley (L). Records-Klahowya 9-13 overall. Lakewood 15-6.

Nooksack Valley 10, South Whidbey 5: After taking an early 2-0 lead, South Whidbey fell victim to a six-run second inning and a four-run sixth inning by Nooksack Valley in a semi-final loss. Mary Murphy had two RBI for the Falcons, and Jenny Murphy and Ashley Lopez each added one.

South Whidbey	020	030	0	–	5	7	2
Nooksack Valley	060	004	x	–	10	10	1

Mock, Lopez (2) and J. Murphy, Steiner and Wilburn. WP-Steiner. LP-Mock. 2B-Dykstra (NV), Verkist (NV), Steiner (NV), M. Murphy (SW). 3B-Verkist (NV). Records-South Whidbey 12-6 overall. Nooksack Valley 18-3.

Lynden Christian 7, Lakewood 1: Jamie Hanson’s RBI single in the third inning accounted for Lakewood’s only run in a semifinal loss to Lynden Christian. Rebecca Bode picked up the complete-game victory for the Lyncs, scattering four hits over seven innings.