Lakewood, Murphy split Cascade Conference doubleheader

EVERETT — It was a day that was supposed to sort out some of the top teams in the Cascade Conference softball standings.

But after two extra-inning games played mostly in a drizzling rain and a biting wind, not much was settled between Lakewood and Archbishop Murphy.

In the opener of a Friday afternoon doubleheader, Lakewood got two runs in the top of the seventh to tie the score and eventually send the game to extra innings. The Cougars pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the ninth and then denied Archbishop Murphy, which had the tying run at third base, in the bottom of the ninth for a thrilling 6-5 victory.

In the second game, the Wildcats were the ones to prevail in another extra-inning nail-biter, also by a 6-5 score. After seeing Lakewood again score twice in the top of the seventh, this time to take a one-run lead, Archbishop Murphy tied the score with one in the bottom of the seventh and then got the winning run in the eighth on a walk-off RBI double by Jess Daher.

It was entertaining softball, but did it settle anything between the two squads?

“I don’t think so,” said Archbishop Murphy coach Stephanie Harmon with a laugh. “We’ll settle it in May (at the district tournament).”

Both teams got standout performances from their starting pitchers. Lakewood’s Hailey Malakowski and Archbishop Murphy’s Baylee Robertson pitched all of the two games, and they both threw well despite weather conditions that were difficult to say the least.

Malakowski showed her grit in the second game. After taking a sharp line drive off the leg, she limped around for a few minutes, threw some pitches to assess her injury, and then announced she was fit to continue.

“We’ve got an ace and she threw a lot today,” said Lakewood coach Travis Boortz. “We were hoping she could go two games (for a total of 14 innings), but she went 17 innings. And then throwing with a hurt leg, I’m very proud of her effort.”

Likewise, Robertson did “an awesome job,” Harmon said. “Just tremendous. You can’t ask somebody to do two games (in one day) very often, but we did today and she did a great job.”

The opening game was tied after eight innings, so play continued in the ninth under international tiebreaker rules, with both teams beginning their at-bats with a runner at second base. Lakewood’s Peyton Cook started the inning at second, moved to third on an infield out and scored on a sacrifice fly by teammate Terah Barrio.

In the bottom of the ninth, Archbishop Murphy moved its runner to third base with one out, but she was left stranded there as Malakowski struck out the final two Wildcat hitters.

In the nightcap, Lakewood took the lead with another two-run seventh and was three outs away from sweeping the twinbill. But Archbishop Murphy’s Alyson Matriotti got her third extra-base hit of the game with a leadoff double in the bottom of the seventh and eventually scored the tying run on an infield out.

In the eighth, and with darkness settling over the field, the Wildcats got leadoff hitter Makenzie Treece aboard on an infield error. One out later she took second on an infield out and then Daher followed with a long fly that glanced off an outfielder’s glove and fell for the game-winning hit.

“For the most part we played great,” Harmon said. “We had a few errors and we have to cut down on those…but otherwise the girls played their hearts out. They kept with it for

nine innings in the first game and eight innings in the next, and I can’t ask for anything better.”

Both games “could’ve gone either way,” Boortz said. “I’m really proud of the way we came back (with rallies) in the seventh inning just to keep playing. It showed a lot of fight from our players.”

At Archbishop Murphy H.S.

Game 1

Lakewood 201 000 201 — 6 10 1

Archbishop Murphy 110 003 000 — 5 7 2

Hailey Malakowski and Kylie Lopez; Baylee Robertson and Alyson Matriotti. WP—Malakowski. LP—Robertson. 2B—Peyton Cook (L), Paige Cook (L).

Game 2

Lakewood 001 011 20 — 5 7 2

Archbishop Murphy 100 300 11 — 6 8 4

Hailey Malakowski and Kylie Lopez; Baylee Robertson and Alyson Matriotti. WP—Robertson. LP—Malakowski. 2B—Kylie Lopez (L) 2, Alyson Matriotti (AM) 2, J. Daher (AM). 3B—Alyson Matriotti (AM). Records—Lakewood 5-2 league, 7-2 overall. Archbishop Murphy 5-2, 6-3.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.