MUKILTEO — The Jackson High School softball team got a full team showing as it powered through a previously undefeated Kamiak squad.
The Timberwolves brought an end to the Knights’ 13-game winning streak in convincing fashion, shutting out Kamiak 9-0 on Tuesday in what served as a Wesco 4A league opener for Jackson.
The Timberwolves (11-1, 1-0) had six players register a hit, as Allie Thomsen, Addi Bale, Kiana Holden and Elena Eigner all offered multi-hit performances in the victory.
“One of the things we really challenged the kids on over the last few days is that we need something from one-through-nine in the batting order,” Jackson head coach Kyle Peacocke said. “When things are rolling well, the whole offense is contributing and its nice to see.”
Bale, a junior, went 2-for-4 at the plate with four RBI and helped lift the Timberwolves to a commanding lead in the top of the third. Bale doubled on a line drive, plating two runs to pull Jackson ahead 4-0, then Eigner came through with an RBI single with two outs to make it 5-0.
Thomsen connected on a pair of doubles and stole a base while Eigner and Mia Ediger also had steals.
“(Kamiak) was struggling a little bit early in the game to throw strikes,” Peacocke said. “We were kind of able to take advantage of that and we ran the bases really well. We’re just super pleased to come out with a win like that.”
Kamiak (13-1, 1-1) blanked the Timberwolves through the fourth and sixth innings, but the Knights couldn’t get their at-bats to stick on the offensive end despite creating contact on several swings.
Jackson senior ace Yanina Sherwood pitched a complete game, striking out seven with one walk and allowing three hits. The Timberwolves’ infielders backed up Sherwood when she needed assistance with double plays coming in the second and fourth innings to help stave off potential rallies from the Knights.
“I had to remind the girls that they all put the bat on the ball today,” Kamiak head coach Ann Bradley said. “(Sherwood) is hittable, it’s just a matter of getting out of your own head. … That’s an important thing for us to remember when we go on to the next game.”
As league competition ramps up in a loaded Wesco 4A conference over the coming weeks, Bradley added more silver lining to the loss.
“We’re in the heart of it now,” Bradley said. “When you win 13 in a row, you need to be humbled a bit sometimes. Playing Jackson humbles us every time, but it reminds us that it’s time to step up and elevate your game, do the best that you can do.”
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