EVERETT — Inclement weather nearly stole the show, but in the end the Everett Seagulls softball team proved it can win even in soggy, bone-chilling conditions.
Everett scored all of its runs in the fourth inning amid a heavy downpour and sophomore pitcher Cory Mattson struck out nine hitters as the Seagulls defeated the previously unbeaten Jackson Timberwolves 4-2 in a Western Conference South Division game April 14 on the rain-resistant Lincoln Field turf.
“That’s a big win. … Our team did a good job of not letting the wet conditions affect the way we played the game,” said Everett coach Kyle Peacocke.
“It was their time to swing the bats. They’re a heck of a team,” Jackson coach Mike Moran said of Everett, which used four hits, two walks and one Jackson error to surge to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Freshman Elizabeth Reed capped the rally with a two-run, ground-rule double that drove in Mattson and Alexandra Hudson, another freshman.
“They’re well-coached. They work hard at getting the best out of their players,” Moran added of Everett, which did its damage against Jackson starter Lauren Reid (3-1) during a particularly nasty downpour that made the ball extremely slippery.
Tamara Priebe and Carly McEachran later drove in runs for Jackson, which had outscored opponents 58-7 entering the game and ended its shutout streak at four.
Everett’s Mattson (9-1) pitched all seven innings for the win. She allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and one walk and also doubled in the fourth.
Mattson said the victory significantly lifted Everett’s spirits.
“I think it boosts (the team’s confidence) up a lot,” she said.
Everett’s Peacocke praised his fielders for staying focused and making good decisions in the less-than-ideal weather: “I was very happy with our defense. I thought our defense won the game.”
The Seagulls’ offensive eruption didn’t hurt either. Junior catcher Claire Welly also smacked a ground-rule double for Everett.
“Jackson is the best hitting team in our league,” Peacocke said, “but we showed tonight that we can hit the ball too.”
The most remarkable aspect about Everett and Jackson, the division’s top two teams, is their collective youth. Everett has just one senior, outfielder Raelyn Hawkinson, and Jackson has two (Lindsylee Wheadon and Taryn Pearce). But with these squads, perceived inexperience gives way to abundant talent.
Jackson tasted defeat for the first time after starting the season with nine victories in nine tries. Moran is confident that the T-wolves will learn and move on. “I totally expect them to bounce back (and) practice hard on Monday,” he said.
Moran said he anticipates another captivating battle when Jackson plays host to Everett in the rematch on May 9.
Mattson agrees.
“It’s gonna be another good matchup,” she said.
But let’s hope for better weather.
Mike Cane writes for The Herald in Everett.
Jackson 5, Shorewood 0
Morgan Frost pitched a compete-game shutout, struck out seven batters and hit a triple to lead the Timberwolves to a 5-0 victory over Shorewood in a Western Conference South Division game April 18 at Jackson High School.
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