LYNDEN — Lynden run-ruled defending 1A state champion Nooksack Valley 17-6 in five innings Thursday night, April 13, at Nooksack Valley Middle School.
Lynden loaded the bases at the start of the first inning, running in senior Grace Potter, sophomore Melanie Anderson and freshman Campbell DeJong, giving them a 3-0 lead. The Pioneers answered with two runs on a single by senior Ella Perry, making the score 4-2 at the top of the second.
The Lions drove in three more runs in the bottom of the second, and the Pioneers relieved freshman pitcher Payton Bartl with sophomore Kennedy Burke. However, their strategy was short-lived as Lynden led 12-2 by the bottom of the third inning.
The Pioneers managed to power back with several critical plays in the bottom of the third, cutting the Lions’ lead by four with runs by seniors Sierra Anderson and Ella Perry, junior Lainey Kimball and sophomore Alayna Dykstra to make the score 12-6.
Lynden’s Grace Potter slides under the tag by Nooksack Valley’s Payton Bartl. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Undeterred, the Lions’ offense continued to dominate, clinching the 17-6 win.
Strong performances by Potter, Anderson and Campbell and Childrey DeJong combined to lead the team with 14 runs, propelling Lynden to its win.
Lynden junior pitcher Trinity Andrew pitched a complete game, allowing 10 hits and six earned runs while striking out six batters.
Potter finished 3-for-4 at the plate for Lynden with three runs scored and two RBIs. Childrey DeJong finished 2-for-3 with four runs scored and a home run. Campbell DeJong went 2-for-2 batting with three RBIs.
NV was led by Anderson and Dykstra, who each finished 3-for-3 at the plate and scored a combined four runs.
Lions coach Ed Bomber was happy with the win despite feeling his players were rusty after taking 12 days off for spring break and only having two practices.
Nooksack Valley’s Alayna Dykstra tags out Lynden’s Childrey DeJong at home plate. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
“Spring breaks never help us. Too much time off,” Bomber said. “I’m glad we finished the game strong today.”
Bomber also praised Nooksack’s coaching staff.
“Win or lose, they’re one of the best-coached teams every year,” Bomber said of NV and coach Tom Harmon. “They just get better and better. I’m glad we played them early in the season.”
Bomber said the win over NV will help his team prepare for its upcoming games.
“We have four games next week, all tough games,” Bomber said.
Nooksack Valley’s MaKenzie Likkel hits an RBI double. (Andy Bronson/Cascadia Daily News)
Lynden moved to 7-3 overall and 5-1 in Northwest Conference games, and the Lions will play first-place Blaine (5-0, 6-0 NWC) at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, at Pipeline Fields.
Both Lynden and NV were looking to notch wins after each suffering losses on March 11. Lynden’s four-game win streak was snapped with a 6-10 conference loss to Sedro-Woolley (5-2, 8-2 NWC). Nooksack Valley also suffered a 6-10 conference loss to undefeated Blaine (5-0, 6-0 NWC).
Nooksack Valley fell to 4-4 overall (3-3 NWC) and will head into the weekend facing Montesano (7-2, 2-1 Evergreen League) in a non-conference game at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at Montesano.
