MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — They’re back.

After winning a pair of games but playing somewhat sloppy ball last week, the Shorecrest softball team opened this week with a sharp 5-0 win over Mountlake Terrace in a Western Conference 4A South Division contest April 28 at Mountlake Terrace High School.

“We struggled last week,” said Shorecrest coach Kristie Oglesby. “We were just a little off.”

In an 8-7 victory over last-place Lynnwood April 25, the Scots committed an uncharacteristic six errors.

“That’s just not my team,” Oglesby said.

But behind a three-hit, complete game effort by sophomore pitcher Ashley Morrison, Shorecrest appears to have shaken off the doldrums.

Center fielder Emily Gould was 4-for-4 with a bases-clearing triple to lead the Scots, who kept sole possession of first place in the league.

“I’m happy they’re back with the enthusiasm and doing the little things defensively and offensively,” Oglesby said. “Everybody has slumps. They’re back and that’s all that’s important.”

The start was Morrison’s first in a week after missing the team’s previous two games due to pains in her right forearm.

“I went to the doctor and they said it could be a stress fracture forming but they had no signs of it,” Morrison said. “So I just had to take a week off and then come back this week and if it feels fine then go ahead and if not go back.”

Morrison did a little throwing the day before her scheduled return and felt fine.

She fanned 12 and had a strikeout in every inning.

“I felt good, really loose,” Morrison said. “I was happy to be back. I hated sitting out.”

Oglesby knew from the first inning that her ace was headed for a strong game.

“I thought she was throwing very hard and very consistent,” Oglesby said. “I was happy to see her back.”

Though everything was working well, Morrison said her changeup and curve probably were her best pitches.

The Scots took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a sacrifice fly by second baseman Briana Davis.

Mountlake Terrace pitcher Michelle Ness then settled down for the next five innings before running into trouble in the seventh.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Gould smacked a triple to drive in three runs and give Morrison a cushion. Gould also had the game-winning hit against Lynnwood.

“She just is a great hitter,” Oglesby said. “She’s just an all-around great player. When she comes up to bat, I’m just like totally confident. I have no doubts. She’s just a good clutch hitter.”