EVERETT — The Jackson High School softball team punched its ticket to state with relative ease Wednesday evening at Phil Johnson Ballfields.
After a 6-0 shutout over Inglemoor on Monday, the No. 2-seeded Timberwolves moved on in the 4A District 1/2 Tournament bracket with a 6-1 semifinal victory over No. 3 Skyline.
With the win, Jackson (21-1) will face undefeated Bothell (24-0) in the district championship tilt, which will be held on Friday at 6 p.m. at the same location.
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The Spartans came into the matchup averaging 10.0 runs per contest, with their lowest run total coming back on Mar. 20, when they were shut out by Bothell. The Spartans went 3-for-23 at the plate, with just a late homer coming in the seventh inning.
“I thought we played outstanding today,” Jackson coach Kyle Peacocke said. “That team has been putting up a lot of runs, and defensively, we played it pretty solid. Obviously, scoring some runs early makes life a bit more comfortable in the game.”
Jackson jumped on things early, hanging up a three spot in the bottom of the first as junior Yanina Sherwood got things rolling with an RBI single, scoring fellow junior Rachel Sysum.
The Wolves scattered 11 hits on the day, with a 3-for-3 performance from senior Macie Dean and a 2-for-3 showing from Allie Thomsen leading the way.
In the circle, Sherwood pitched a full game, striking out nine with one walk before relinquishing Skyline’s only score with two outs in the seventh.
In the third, Jackson seized full control. Dean and sophomore Kiana Holden each stole bases, while Holden also drove in a run. A sacrifice groundout from junior Addison Bale made it 5-0 entering the fourth.
Jackson’s state berth marks the seventh straight season the Timberwolves have made it through districts, with championships coming in 2018 and 2019. This year, the Wolves will have a chance for a district title after falling to the Spartans 3-2 in 2022 in the same portion of the semifinals.
“I feel like we came back with some fire and we wanted our redemption for that,” Sherwood said. “We were right in the same situation last year, so that feels great. I felt like we stepped it up since Monday, our energy was absolutely phenomenal and every person on our bench was a part of a big win.”
With a huge task at hand on Friday against the Cougars, Sherwood expects to be ready for a good one.
“I know Bothell’s a great team, undefeated just like we were earlier in the year,” she said. “I know it’s gonna be an awesome game, we just gotta bring it, go out there and do what we do. .. I feel like our defense is impeccable right now, every single player knows how to play their position (and) everyone is so connected this year.”
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