Trojans Split with Devils in Home Opener

Everett, WA - The Trojans returned home for a Sunday doubleheader against NWAC powerhouse Lower Columbia College.  The Red Devils were NWAC runners up in 2018 and advanced to the final 8 in 2019, the last year of the NWAC playoffs before the 2020 and 2021 tournaments were canceled due to COVID.  The Devils and Trojans got a taste of each other two weekends ago in Bellevue when a 4-3 ball game in favor of LCC was halted in the 3rd inning due to heavy rain.  In game one of the doubleheader, Everett wasted no time pushing a run across in the bottom of the first inning on a Mele Turner 2-out single that scored Kaitlynn Bridgewater.  Everett did most of their damage in the 4th inning, scoring a total of five runs.  With one out and the bases loaded Jaz McMiller hit into a fielders choice to score a run but there was then runners at the corners with 2 away.  After Leiloa Bustamante's single scored another run, Kaitlynn Bridgwater singled to load the bases back up.  Kayla Tuaoa then drew a walk to push in another run.  One batter later Jordyn Lono topped it off with a 2 RBI single to complete the 5 run, 5 hit inning.

Everett scored an insurance run in the 6th put the player of the game had to be starting pitcher Kaylie Hoskins who allowed just one hit, walked no one, and struck out 18 batters for all but three outs.  Three times, Hoskins struck out the side and fittingly struck out the final two batters to end the game.  Kaylie adds to her total as the all time career leader in strikeouts at EvCC now with a total of 277 and her K/7 is off the charts this year, leading the NWAC at 15.75.

Despite the successes of game one, game two had the script flipped.  The Devils bounced back with two runs in the first innings, but EvCC responded by scoring a run of their own in the first via Leiloa Bustamante's solo shot off the left field foul pole.  From there both starting pitchers would go to work, pitching five scoreless innings and giving up just three hits apiece.    Heading into the top of the 7th, LCC held on to a 2-1 lead but for the Trojans the wheels would fall off in an uncharacteristic 11 runs allowed inning.  Starting freshman pitcher Riley Mae Swanson who had been solid all year gave up 5 walks in the inning and two home runs which contributed to the 11 run inning and ultimately a 13-1 defeat.  

The loss marks the first of the season, but overall has been a very successful an encouraging non-conference performance, going 6-1.  Rain outs led to a total of five games not getting played, but two of those will get made up later in April, and the Trojans will get four more non conference games that same month at the NWAC crossover.  Region play begins this weekend, Sunday March 20th in Everett against Olympic College.  The Rangers are 3-5 so far this season which includes two big wins this last weekend over Centralia College.  First pitch is scheduled for 12pm at Gaffney Field.