Arlington season ends short of state

SEDRO-WOOLLEY Though Everett led by as many as eight runs, the Arlington softball team played like it was a tied game.

"I thought we had it," said senior Kate Nicely. "I have total confidence in our team. We can fight."

The attitude helped Arlington close the gap, coming up with two seventh-inning runs in a late game rally that left two runners on base and ultimately fell short. Everett went on from the May 15 game to win the district championship, and Arlington went two more games before falling to the Sedro-Woolley Cubs in the Eagles' endeavor for the district's second state berth.

Arlington defeated the Cubs in a first-round game, vetting them against Everett in their second game of the day May 15.

Junior pitcher Allie Milless threw three innings against Everett, giving Arlington ace Christina Rayner a breather. An injury to Milless shook the pitcher, but she wouldn't go to the bench, instead opting for the outfield. Rayner took over with a five-run deficit, a gap shortened by a third-inning RBI from third baseman Lisa Allen.

Arlington was able to dampen the Everett offense but not hold it off completely. The Eagles rallied in the seventh inning, taking advantage of a tired Cory Mattson at the mound in her second game of the day for Everett. With one out, Mattson walked outfielder Stephanie McDowell and first baseman Amanda Lyon. Allen, who was 2-for-4 at bat for the Eagles, came up, hitting the ball deep into center field for an RBI, where it bounced off the home run fence and fell just inside.

Rayner followed Allen at bat, getting an RBI of her own in a 2-for-3 batting performance.

"They had a great game plan," said Arlington coach Dan Eng. "They bunted three consecutive innings against us. They played small ball against us and created havoc. We're not a big run-producing club."

After defeating Ferndale 4-0 in the next game, Arlington found itself in a rematch against Sedro-Woolley and the Cubs took the 1-0 win this time, ending Arlington's season.

Contact Arlington Times Sports Reporter Danielle Szulczewski at dszulczewski@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300.

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