Jackson tops Monroe to stay unbeaten in league play

MILL CREEK — For the final five innings of Friday’s Wesco 4A softball game between Jackson and Monroe, the Bearcats’ defense was perfect.

It was the first two innings that proved to be their demise.

The Timberwolves, who improved to 5-0 in league and 10-1 overall, took advantage of three errors committed by Monroe in the first two innings to take a 2-0 lead and held on for a 3-1 victory.

Jackson has a one-game advantage over Snohomish for first place, but Timberwolves head coach Kyle Peacocke expects the league to be a fight to the finish.

“Us, Monroe, Lake Stevens and Snohomish are all really good teams and evenly matched,” he said. “Every game is going to be a battle between those teams. We play them all three in a row and it was good to get the first one and get a win under our belt.”

Conversely, Monroe had to play Snohomish and Jackson this week after an 8-0 start and dropped both games. Bearcats head coach Mike Birch doesn’t seem to have any doubt that his team can get back to its winning ways.

“We’ve always been a team that has kind of peaked towards the end of the season,” Birch said. “We obviously came out of the box pretty hot and we’ve got a little lull right here, but we’ll just keep trying to turn that around. Hopefully we’ll peak towards the end just like we have in the last couple of years and that’s what we want to do anyway.”

Friday’s game featured two of the best pitchers in the league, Jackson junior Sophie Frost and Monroe freshman McKenzie Schulz.

Schulz gave up just two hits in the first five innings, including striking out the side in the fourth, but Jackson still managed to put up three runs by taking advantage of the Bearcats’ defensive mistakes.

Frost was just as good, scattering three hits in the first five innings.

“Sophie is a great pitcher,” Birch said. “She moves the ball around really well and her location is spot on. It was really good tonight. She was getting us with the inside pitch. I think it was probably a backdoor curve.

“That was killing us.”

The Bearcats finally got something going offensively in the top of the sixth inning when the first three batters were able to record a hit, but Frost settled down and kept the damage to a minimum allowing only one run.

An inning earlier it looked like Schulz would lead off with an extra-base hit, but Allison Endreson made a difficult catch on the run and Frost took care of the rest.

If Endreson’s first catch wasn’t the play of the game, her catch in the top of the seventh inning was. With a runner on first, Endreson ran down another ball in center field, this time turning around and firing the ball to first base to pick off Alyson Roberson before she could get back to the bag.

“Our center fielder, Allison Endreson, I thought she had a heck of a game,” Peacocke said. “She’s new to center field, but she’s really been working her tail off and she had a fantastic game.

“In fact, I gave her a game ball afterwards because I thought that was kind of a game-changing play,” Peacocke added, referring to the running catch made on the ball hit by Schulz.

The game was delayed briefly after Roberson was picked off at first. Roberson, who collided with first baseman Taylor Adams on the play, appeared to be fine initially, but moments later the paramedics were called and Roberson was taken away in an ambulance shortly after the game concluded.

At Jackson H.S.

Monroe 000 001 0 — 1 7 3

Jackson 110 010 x — 3 5 0

McKenzie Schulz and Morgan Allen. Sophia Frost and Kayla Ellis. WP—Frost. LP—Schulz. 2B—Kiley Ochoa (M). Records—Monroe 3-2 league, 8-2 overall. Jackson 5-0, 10-1.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin (2) poses for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Boys Basketball Player of the Year: Leyton Martin

Arlington’s do-it-all junior point guard led the Eagles to a district title and second straight Hardwood Classic.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 28: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Left to right, Mountlake Terrace’s Zaveon Jones, Glacier Peak’s Jo Lee, Everett’s Isaiah White, Arlington’s Leyton Martin, Jackson’s Ryan McFerran, and Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel pose for a photo at Arlington High School on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area boys basketball teams

A look at the top prep boys basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips’ Andrew Petruk (26) fights for the puck during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Breaking down the Silvertips’ 1st-round playoff series vs. the Giants

Everett is searching for a revenge after a shocking playoff exit against Vancouver two years ago.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

University of Washington's new men's basketball coach Danny Sprinkle meets the news media, Wednesday, March 27, 2024 in Seattle. (Ken Lambert/The Seattle Times via AP)
Taking over at Washington personal for men’s basketball coach Sprinkle

Danny Sprinkle spoke about his connection to the school during his introductory press conference Wednesday.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (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.