After being swept in the two game series against the Edmonds Tritons on Tuesday April 10, the EvCC Trojans returned to winning form, beating the Highline Thunderbirds 7-2 in the first game of the double header on Friday April 13 at Gaffney Field.

Starting pitcher Sydney Taggart took command from the first inning. After walking Highline’s leadoff hitter, Taggart struck out the next three batters in order.

The Trojans offense would do their part in the bottom of the first inning as the team drew first blood. Third baseman Taylor Arndt hit an RBI single into shallow centerfield driving in two runs.  The Trojans led only 2-0 in the first inning but had sent seven batters to the plate.

The game would open up in the next inning for the Trojans. Right fielder Maggie Weiland led the bottom of the second off with an infield single, Morgan Black would strike out, but a patient at bat by Trojans second baseman Arli Oettel led to a walk. Megan Dedrick made it to first on fielding error by Highline shortstop Ellie Quintana.

The bases were loaded with only one out. Sydney Taggart came up to bat hitting a line drive past the shortstop for an RBI single which brought two more runs in to score. The score was now 4-0 Trojans and they weren’t finished yet that inning. Arndt would groundout for the second out to shortstop but Dedrick would score from third, making it 5-0.

Trojans catcher Whitney Harris would reach first base on a fielding error when Thunderbird left fielder Hannah Gyer dropped a pop fly. Weather conditions were far from ideal and winds created problems for outfielders for both teams throughout the day. Taggart would score on the play and Trojans now led 6-0. In the second inning alone, the Trojans had gone through the entire lineup.

The Trojans would tack on one more run in the bottom of the fourth when Megan Derick walked with the bases already loaded. The score was now 7-0 Trojans.

Highline would score two runs in the top of the seventh. With the bases loaded Thunderbirds third baseman Alexis Royal would hit a groundball into the hole between the shortstop and third base for an RBI Single making it 7-1. Royal would fall into a put out at second base for the second out of the inning but Thunderbirds centerfielder Rhonda Sheldon would score on the play making it 7-2. Despite conceding the two runs, the Trojans went on to win, taking the first game of the doubleheader.

“Sydney is very calm and she collects herself very well,” said Trojans Softball Head Coach Randy Smith. “She came out, mixed her speeds really well, mixed her spots (in the strike zone), and got that first game for us.”

For the complete box score visit the NWAC website by clicking on the link here

 http://nwaac_sb.bbstats.pointstreak.com/boxscore.html?gameid=441776