Warriors slide past Wolfpack

MILL CREEK — The Jackson softball team is playing a waiting game.

After getting shut out in their last three games, the Timberwolves was hoping their offense would come to life against Edmonds-Woodway in Monday’s key Western Conference 4A South Division matchup.

The Wolfpack will have to wait a little longer.

Behind the complete-game shutout performance of sophomore pitcher Annika Lindberg, the Warriors blanked Jackson 3-0 at Jackson High School.

The loss was especially damaging for the Timberwolves since the two teams are battling for the division’s fourth and final district playoff berth.

“It was a game both teams obviously wanted to win,” Jackson coach Mike Moran said.

Edmonds-Woodway (7-5 in the league, 8-6 overall) took a half-game lead over the Timberwolves (6-5, 7-6). 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.

Jackson’s offense woes continued through the team has its opportunities.

“We didn’t get the hits when we needed to,” Moran said. “We’re starting to get better swings. But they’re not grouped together. We’re in the worst slump you can imagine.”

The Warriors took advantage of some Wolfpack 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.

Kellie Hansen then stroked what appeared to be a hit almost 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,” said Edmonds-Woodway coach Chris 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.”

Moran was trying to figure out a way to push across one run any way he could.

“A lot of things are not going our way,” Moran said. “If we can get one, we’re a bloop or a blast away from a tie game.”

Edmonds-Woodway later tacked on one more run in the seventh.

Jackson made good contact throughout the game.

“We were hitting the ball,” Bergan said. “We can’t seem to string our hits together … our defense is fine. Our pitching is excellent. We’ve just got to string our hits together.”

Jackson has been shut out its last four games. Edmonds-Woodway also has struggled of late, losing five of their last six games.

“We’ve got to start getting some runs,” Moran said. “It’ll be contagious once they do … we’re getting better swings. We’re cutting down on a lot of pop ups and strikeouts.

“We should be a good enough offensive team to hit any pitcher in the league.”

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.