Trojans Split with Cardinals

Everett, WA – The Trojan softball team was back at home Thursday afternoon for another north region clash, this time with rivals to the north, Skagit Valley College.  NWAC player of the week, Kaylie Hoskins got the start in the circle and had another career performance, striking out the first 12 batters she faced through the 4^th inning.  In that time the Trojan offense was able to put up a run in each of the first three innings with RBI's from Meleana Turner, Leiloa Bustamante, and Isabelle Hansen. 

The Cardinals finally got a baserunner in the top of the 5^th after an EvCC error, but she would not get far as Hoskins went on to again strike out the side, giving her 15 for the game.  The Trojans would be held scoreless in the bottom half of the inning, but in the top of the 6^th it looked like 3 runs would be more than enough when Hoskins struck out the first batter of the inning.  Finally, the Cardinals got on base with a slow roller down the third base line, where the runner was just able to beat out the throw at first.  On the next batter a slow roller back to Hoskins allowed the runner to get to second but the play was made successfully at first to put two away.  Two pitches later, a weak fly ball ended the inning and kept the shutout alive.

The doors were blown open in the bottom of the 6^th when the Trojans drew four walks and capitalized on two errors to put up 5 runs and enact the 8-run rule which ended the game early.  The final hit of the game was Izzy Hansen's 3-run single which gave her two for the game and 4 RBI's total.  Leiloa Bustamante had a solid 3 hit ball game, and in total EvCC combined for 10 total hits.  Kaylie Hoskins finished her 5^th consecutive start with 9 or more strikeouts, and completed her second shutout win.    On the season her ERA dips down to 3.03 and the strikeout total climbs to 84 on the season. 

Game two, like the previous home doubleheader had a much different feel as the bats went quiet, the Trojans mustering just 4 hits all game and failing to push a run across for the first time all season.  By Contrast, Skagit finally got their offense together, putting up 10 runs on 13 hits.  It marked just the 2^nd loss all year for the Trojans and the first in regional play, bringing their record to 5-1, and 11-2 overall.   

Everett will be on the road for the next couple of weeks, with their next game scheduled for Tuesday, April 5^th at Pierce College.  Everett won't play at home next until Saturday, April 16^th against rivals Edmonds College.