MILL CREEK — Jackson could have folded when Stanwood took a 11-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning of last week’s loser-out Northwest District 4A baseball game.
The Timberwolves, however, battled back and scored six runs in the next two innings. But it wasn’t enough, as the Spartans prevailed 14-7 May 12 at Everett Memorial Stadium.
“They hit the ball hard,” Jackson coach Kirk Nicholson said. “We could have laid down … the guys fought back. I have no problems with the way things ended up.”
The Wolfpack came into the consolation contest with a depleted pitching staff. Seniors Ryan Woods and Matt Raff and junior Chris Bowen threw in the previous day’s contest, a wild 10-9 loss to Edmonds-Woodway, a game in which the winner advanced to the winner-to-state, district championship game.
“We used up a lot of pitching … because it was such an important game,” Nicholson said. “We put a lot of stock in Tuesday’s game. That game gets you where you want to be.”
Nicholson did not want to bring back the team’s No. 1 pitcher, sophomore Cam Nobles, who threw in Jackson’s 5-2 victory over Lake Stevens May 8.
“I don’t believe in bringing a kid back early,” Nicholson said. “He’s a young kid too. I’m not willing to take that risk.”
Jackson ended up using three young pitchers against Stanwood. The Timberwolves’ defense didn’t back up the three very well, committing six errors.
“You commit six errors you’re going to have some trouble,” Nicholson said. “They hit the ball pretty well.”
Following a disappointing 1-5 start, the Wolfpack reeled off 13 straight victories, an accomplishment Nicholson is proud of, especially considering how young his team is.
“Six sophomores and a freshman going on a 13- game run, that’s a lot to look forward to,” he said. “It doesn’t help right now. I feel really good about the year.
“Starting out 1-5, I didn’t think we’d be where we were. I was pleased by the effort of our kids. I saw real improvement in my young kids and the older kids fought through adversity in tough situations. I thought we had to work hard to get where we were.”
Senior Pat Allen was sidelined the entire season due to arm problems.
“How many teams can lose their No. 1 pitcher and No. 3 hitter and even make the playoffs?” Nicholson said. “We were two outs away from playing in the (district) championship game.”
One of the players the team relied on was senior shortstop Kiel Lillibridge, who finished the season with an on-base percentage over .500. As the leadoff hitter, Lillibridge set a team record for walks with 23.
Lillibridge, of course, would have rather swung away, Nicholson noted.
“He did what was right for the team,” said Nicholson. “He did everything he had to do to help us. Being one of the older guys and being solid at shortstop was huge for us.”
Sophomore Travis Snider, who hit three home runs in the district tournament, and junior Richie Tri also made significant contributions throughout the season.
Nobles emerged as one of the top pitchers in the league.
“Cam has a bright future ahead of him,” Nicholson said. “He’s going to get better.”
The same could be said of freshman catcher Kawika Pai. Starting as a freshman is not an easy task, Nicholson noted.
“He got beat up during the season,” said Nicholson. “He’ll be better because of it.”
Though they’ll return much of their roster, the Timberwolves will have some holes to fill, most notably with the graduation of pitchers Woods and Raff and shortstop Lillibridge.
“By next year the guys have got to be better,” Nicholson said. “I feel good about the guys coming back. They need to be better players next year.”
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