MARYSVILLE — The Eagles got quite the head start in game against Marysville-Pilchuck on Wednesday, March 27, but the Tomahawks gave them a run for their money in the last inning of the game which Arlington won 7-5.

The Eagles scored a run in the first, three in the third and three in the sixth, with the Tomahawks scoring only one run in the fourth inning. With Hayley Fields striking out 12 batters and going 2-4 with two RBIs, it was looking like an easy win for Arlington.

That is, until the seventh inning, when Marysville-Pilchuck rallied a bit of a comeback.

“Haley Fritz scored a solo home run in the fourth inning, and Jordyn Nickolson hit a 3-run double in the seventh,” said M-P head coach Aaron Zachry. “She leads the league in doubles right now. We were down 7-1 and ended up scoring four runs in the seventh inning. We had a lead-off single, a walk and a single to load the bases. My girls made adjustments at the plate and started playing off the rise ball.”

Putting in a comeback against the undefeated 4A team said something about the softball mentality of the Tomahawks. “Hayley Fields had 12 strikeouts in that game, so that helped them out a lot, but we made some adjustments and scored, and that makes a difference.”

Jordon Willard, a freshman pitcher for the Tommies, pitched four innings and proved to be a benefit to the team. “She’s been getting innings right from the beginning,” said Zachry. “She keeps hitters off balance and she’s handling herself really well.”

Fritz finished out the pitching for the last three innings, as the Eagles grew accustomed to Willard’s pitches. “Once she gets once or twice through the lineup, they get adjusted to her off-speed pitches,” said Zachry. “We brought in Haley Fritz and she started out throwing a change and got Hayden Fields out.”

Although the Tomahawks caught up in the seventh, Fields got her third out in the inning and closed the door on the Marysville comeback.

The Tomahawks went on to top cross-town rivals Marysville Getchell on Friday, March 29, 13-1. Casey Zachry went to 2-4 and hit a grand slam to finish the game with five RBIs and three runs. Fritz was 3-4 and Nickolson was 3-4.

Arlington went on to compete in their first league match-up at Monroe on Friday, March 29. The game was close throughout, with a deadlock at 6-6 drawing it out to 12 innings. A final run by the Bearcats gave them the lead and dealt the Eagles their first loss of the season. Batting highlights include Katelyn McDonald being 3-6, with two doubles.

The Tomahawks, whose record is now 1-0 league and 4-4 overall, face Oak Harbor at home at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 9.

The Eagles, whose record is now 0-1 league and 5-1 overall, face Snohomish away at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 9.