Marysville-Pilchuck unable to overcome Jackson rally

MONROE — Outs, while imminent, were hard to come by during the Tommies’ 11-10 loss May 20 to Jackson.

While both teams were state-bound regardless of the outcome, only the Timberwolves were able to come away with the district title.

Marysville-Pilchuck took a commanding lead in the first inning, scoring six runs before Jackson was able to come to the plate. The Lady Tomahawks were unable to keep the undefeated Timberwolves (23-0) from chipping away throughout the next seven innings, as it took eight to decide which team has the No. 1 seed out of District 1.

Jackson scored four in the seventh to even the score at 10-10 and held M-P’s offense scoreless in the eighth.

Nevertheless, M-P will make its second trip to state in three years, which was the goal to start the season.

“This was a big goal for us,” said third baseman Katie Buck about earning a trip to the 4A state tournament. “We started off a little slow, but everybody came together and we’re really excited.”

Buck was instrumental in M-P’s earning of a state berth, going 6-for-6 with three doubles and a home run on the first day of the tournament, beating Snohomish 15-4 and Arlington 13-0 in a winner-to-state game.

The Tommies’ offense became the trademark of the tournament, scoring 28 runs in three games, and having every starter with at least one RBI in the tournament.

“That’s a really good sign because although we were undefeated (16-0) in league play and in first place, our offense wasn’t consistent in my book,” said M-P coach KT Allyn.

Those hot bats looked to be unstoppable even against Jackson, as the Tommies knocked out the Timberwolves’ starter after getting just one out in the game. Providing the big blow in the first was Morgan Martinis, who smashed a grand slam over the left field wall to make the score 5-0.