MILL CREEK — The Edmonds-Woodway softball team took a significant step toward a possible district playoff berth.
Behind the complete-game shutout performance of sophomore pitcher Annika Lindberg, the Warriors edged Jackson 3-0 in a key Western Conference 4A South Division matchup Monday at Jackson High School.
Edmonds-Woodway (7-5 in the league, 8-6 overall) took a half lead over the Timberwolves (6-5, 7-6) in the race for the division’s fourth and final slot to the Northwest District 4A tournament. Kamiak, Mountlake Terrace, Everett and Shorecrest are ahead of both teams in the standings but the 3A Scots don’t figure into the 4A playoff picture.
“It feels great. It was the perfect time to win,” Lindberg said.
The Warriors have struggled of late, losing five of their last six games coming into Monday’s contest with Jackson, who defeated Edmonds-Woodway 1-0 earlier in the season. The Warriors won six of their first seven games to start the season.
“This is a great boost for our confidence,” said senior catcher Brynn Noack. “We know we can beat anybody.”
First-year Edmonds-Woodway coach Chris Paulson sees the victory as a turning point for the Warriors, who were coming off a tough 4-1 loss to Shorewood last week.
“It’s going to get us on a roll for the rest of the season,” he predicted.
One of the problems in the last several games is that Paulson has shuffled his lineup and put some players in different positions.
Edmonds-Woodway played flawless defense behind Lindberg.
“The kids are settling into their positions, where they feel comfortable,” Paulson said. “They’re working together as a unit on defense.”
The Warriors took advantage of some Jackson errors in the first inning and pushed across all the runs they would need.
After Edmonds-Woodway senior Andi Zolton reached first base on a fielder’s choice, she advanced to second on an unassisted out by the Jackson first baseman and then took third on a wild pitch during an intentional walk to Noack. Anna Park, who came in as a courtesy runner for Noack, then stole second.
Kelli Hansen then stroked what appeared to be a hit into right field but the Jackson second baseman tracked the ball down but the throw was wide of first base, which enabled both Zolton and Park to score.
“Scoring in the first inning was big for us, just to get the momentum,” Noack said.
The Wolfpack tried to respond in the bottom of the first. Rachel Koenig-Eng drew a lead-off walk and took second on a single by Jenna Morhweis. Both runners moved up a base when Kendra Bergan bunted the ball. Jackson then loaded the bases when Lindsylee Wheadon laid down another successful bunt.
Edmonds-Woodway, however, escaped unscathed when Lindberg struck out the next batter and then recorded a ground out to end the Wolfpack threat.
“She pitched extremely well,” Paulson said. “She changed her speed and kept the ball very low.”
Lindberg also worked out of a jam in the fifth.
Jackson’s Katie Christensen hit a one-out triple to left field. The Timberwolves then bunted the ball but Lindberg went straight to home to record the out.
“I knew there was going to be a play (at the plate),” Lindberg said.
Paulson remembered that Jackson has tried to use the squeeze play before and that the Wolfpack has been struggling to score runs.
“We anticipated it,” he said. “Brynn blocked the plate good. It was a head’s up play.”
Jackson coach Mike Moran was trying to figure out a way to push across one run any way he could.
“If we can get one, we’re a bloop or a blast away from a tie game,” Moran said.
Edmonds-Woodway tacked on one more run in the seventh on a two-out single by Zolton.
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