EVERETT — As Megan Gordon rounded the bases after hitting the first home run of her career earlier this season, no one was happier for the Everett freshman than her Seagulls teammate and older sister, Erin Gordon.
But she still gave Megan a hard time.
“When Megan hit her first home run … against Meadowdale, Erin hadn’t hit one yet. I think (Erin) called her a ‘stinker,’” Everett head coach Mike Millar said with a chuckle. “She was a little bitter that her sister got to one first. But then again, I know that she was extremely happy for her.”
Megan’s homer proved pivotal in a 4-3 extra-innings victory over Meadowdale as the two sisters continued to be a big part of the Seagulls’ success this season. In her first year with the team, Megan is batting .463 with 25 RBI, nine doubles and two home runs. Erin, a junior and an Everett captain, is close behind with a .407 average, 18 RBI, eight doubles and four triples.
Erin, Everett’s shortstop, and Megan (second base) anchor the middle of the infield for the Seagulls. The duo has helped Everett to a 22-1 record and spot in the 3A state tournament for the first time since 2012, when the Seagulls placed second.
Everett opens play in the tournament at noon Friday against Central Kitsap at the Regional Athletic Conference in Lacey.
“I’ve never, in my life, witnessed two sisters that treat each other as well as they do,” Millar said. “They’re best friends and you don’t see that too often in siblings. It’s just pretty moving to see how they are, on and off the field.”
The two sisters say there’s a bit of a sibling rivalry, with each wanting to get the last laugh — or the biggest hit.
“If one person does something good, it’s like, ‘I want to do that. I want to make that play,’” Megan said.
Along with Megan, fellow freshman Rachel Christensen has bolstered the Everett offense. Christensen leads the team with a .537 average along with 42 RBI.
“Christensen leads our team in hitting,” Millar said. “(Junior Sydney Taggart) is right behind her. They actually went into districts tied and Rachel overtook her with a really strong district (tournament). Megan hit around .460. The second half of the season, Megan was our hottest hitter. She was on fire driving the ball. Lots of doubles and triples.”
Megan may have the current leg up on home runs, but Erin, a pitcher, has benefited significantly from her younger sister’s offensive production. The elder Gordon is 9-1 with four saves — and a game-winning single by her younger sister provided one of those wins.
Along with Taggart, who is 13-0 this season with two saves, the Seagulls have a strong 1-2 punch on the mound.
“We push each other a lot,” Erin said. “My sister and I push each other. Sydney and I push each other.”
Taggart said that competition, as well as Everett’s resilience, has been key to the Seagulls’ success.
“We are able to fight back if we get down,” Taggart said. “A lot of teams will kind of give up, but our team we fight back. The first game in districts we were down 7-0 in the first inning (against Mountlake Terrace) and we fought back and won it.”
“We just play with a lot of heart and a lot of drive,” Megan added. “And we play for each other. We just work hard every day.”
The Seagulls proved they were a force with a rematch against Meadowdale (20-3) in the 3A District 1 championship game. Megan’s second home run of the season got the scoring started for Everett, which routed the Mavericks 15-1 to claim the district’s No. 1 seed to state.
Erin went 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
“I thought that was our most complete game of the season offensively, pitching, defense, everything,” Millar said. “That was as good of a game as we’ve played this year. And it couldn’t have come at a more opportune moment.”
The first Meadowdale game was when Erin and the Seagulls realized it might be a special season for Everett softball.
“I think our first Meadowdale game was kind of when we started to realize that we might be going farther than we expect,” Erin said. “We could beat a team that we were worried about. And everyone was contributing.”
Millar, meanwhile, realized about a month earlier in the season. His revelation came after the Seagulls’ lone loss of the season — a 7-4 game against 4A District 1 champion Jackson on March 25.
“Ironically, it was a loss. That one loss to Jackson — which Jackson has proved to be one of the top 4A teams in the state — and we were right there,” Millar said. “We had a chance to win that game. A few bounces one way or another we could’ve had that game. That was when I told the girls, ‘Hey. We can play with anybody. There isn’t a team in the state that, on any given day, we can’t play with.’ That was, in my opinion, the turning point in the season.”
The Seagulls hope their success — Everett is riding a 20-game winning streak — continues at the state tournament. For the Gordons, the event is even more special because they get to head to Lacey together.
“I’m really excited because I’ve never got to go to state for a sport. I think it’s pretty cool that I get to go with my sister before I’m gone,” Erin said. “And some of my best friends are with me too.”
Added Megan: “It’s really cool, as a freshman, to be going to state my first year out here. And to be going with my sister and all my friends is an amazing feeling.”
And if Erin hits her first home run of the season at the state tournament, Millar has just one wish for the occasion.
“One of these days she’s going to get one just enough to get it out,” Millar said. “Hopefully, Megan’s on base when Erin does it.”
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