Wolverines upend league-leading La Conner; 5-4 | Softball

Junior Kaylen Meeker sparked a two-out rally that put Friday Harbor out in front for good, as the Wolverines squeaked by league-leading La Conner for a 5-4 victory, Thursday, in their home opener.

Trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the fifth, Meeker slapped a single into the right-center and then scored on a pass ball to tie the score after Ashleigh Brown followed with a hard-hit single of her own that advanced Meeker to third. Junior Sierra Truesdale knocked in what proved to be the game-winning run with an RBI single in the next at-bat.

The Wolverines turned in several defensive gems to help pitcher Jean Melborne earn her second win of the season, including a 6-4-3 double play that pulled the rug out from under the Braves fifth-inning rally. Trailing 3-2, La Conner (3-1, 4-2 overall) scored twice in the fifth to reclaim the lead and had a runner in scoring position when shortstop Liz Taylor and Truesdale, at second, teamed up with Lizzy Starr at first to complete the double play and put an end to the inning.

Melborne, who gave up just one base hit in a five-inning shut out at Darrington on Saturday, struck out nine Braves en route to Thursday's home-opening victory.

With the victory, the Wolverines evened their overall record at 2-2, and improved to 2-0 in Northwest 1A/2B League competition. They face league rival Concrete on the road, Friday, at 4 p.m., and travel to Nooksack Valley, Saturday; game time is 1 p.m.

— Scott Rasmussen

 

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