Though Lynnwood and crosstown rival Meadowdale are far apart in the Western Conference South Division standings, not much separated the two teams in last week’s softball clash.
The Royals, who finished the week 9-4 in the league and 10-5 overall, pushed across three runs on two hits in the first inning and upended the hard luck Mavericks 3-0 in the April 28 game at Lynnwood High School.
The loss, coupled with another 3-0 defeat to Glacier Peak, dropped Meadowdale to 4-10.
Lynnwood coach Matt Rockne nevertheless came away impressed by Meadowdale and expects the Mavericks to be a tough opponent at the district tournament.
“They’re dangerous,” Rockne said. “They’ve lost so many of those close games. They’re just right there.”
Seven of Meadowdale’s losses have been by three or fewer runs.
“We’re actually in every game,” said Meadowdale coach Dennis Hopkins. “We just can’t seem to finish the deal. We were in both games (Lynnwood, Glacier Peak).”
The Royals’ victory over Meadowdale was the team’s seventh in the last eight games. Lynnwood’s hot streak, however, came to an end as Mountlake Terrace outslugged the Royals 9-8 and defending league champion and league leader Jackson pounded out a 13-3 victory.
“We had a bit of hiccup at the end of last week,” Rockne said.
The two losses didn’t really expose any glaring issues, though, in Rockne’s opinion.
Both Mountlake Terrace and Lynnwood’s offenses were clicking in the April 29 game.
“It was one of those games where both teams are hitting a bunch,” Rockne said. “There’s not a lot of you can take away from it.”
A Lynnwood baserunner was thrown out at the plate trying to score the tying run in the seventh.
Rockne said that Jackson is as good a team as he’s seen this season. The Royals still battled hard against the undefeated Timberwolves. Lynnwood gave up seven runs in the bottom of the first but otherwise played decently against the 4A powerhouse.
Lynnwood had not experienced back-to-back losses in a year and a half and the Royals weren’t too happy about it.
“None of us liked the feeling,” Rockne said. “The girls are ready for this week. … We don’t concentrate on the lows.”
Junior Kelsie Mason has thrown every inning this season for the Royals and based on her strong performance, it’s likely she’ll continue through the remainder of the regular season and the district playoffs. All the 3A teams advance to the postseason with the regular season record determining seedings.
Mason has been a steady performer from the start.
“She’s working ahead in counts a lot better,” Rockne said. “She’s has a lot more first pitch strikes. She’s cut down on the walks. I think she’s comfortable relying on her defense.”
Mason recorded 13 ground ball outs against Meadowdale.
“The infield was working hard that day,” Rockne said.
Junior catcher Kelsey Parker has provided much of the offense in spite of an injury to one of her fingers. Rockne has shifted Parker out from behind the plate and into other positions in the field. Freshman Katie Eno has done a good job filling in for Parker.
“That’s been such a blessing to have another girl to step in,” Rockne said. “I’m finding a place for her in the lineup because she’s hitting.”
Senior Jessika Barlow, a volleyball standout player who returned to the diamond for the first time since middle school, also has been on a tear recently.
“She’s such a natural athlete,” Rockne said of Barlow. “She’s physically strong.”
Mason has helped herself at the plate. She hit a home run against Shorecrest on April 13.
Much of the recent attention on Meadowdale has focused on senior Ashley Aven, who is battling cancer. Aven threw out the first pitch at the Seattle Mariners game against Texas on May 2.
“The team has come together over Ashley and been able to put that at the forefront, and not let it go to their heads,” Hopkins said.
“We’ve made great strides from where we started the season,”
As the district playoffs loom, Hopkins is looking to have more timely hits from his players. The Mavericks recently loaded the bases but could not push across any runs. Once Meadowdale strings together some key hits, everything should fall into place on offense.
Meadowdale did have nice offensive numbers in recent victories over district rivals Edmonds-Woodway and Mountlake Terrace and 4A rival Mariner. The Mavericks outscored the three teams 36-2.
Senior pitcher Kylee Studioso played a key role, both with her arm and her bat, in those games. Against Mariner, Jen Zinger just missed out on hitting for the cycle with a double, triple and home run.
“Those two are carrying the team,” Hopkins said. “But the whole team is doing really well.”
Especially in the field.
“In the last five games, we’ve had three errors,” Hopkins said. “Defensively, we’re strong.”
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
