Bats alive! Issaquah conquers KingCo champion Skyline to capture first bi-district softball championship

Shae Erickson blasts two home runs, including grand slam, to lead offensive-minded Eagles to 14-6 victory in 4A District 1/2 finals in Everett

Issaquah wins its first bi-district softball championship in school history Friday after knocking off KingCo champion Skyline, 14-6, in the Class 4A District 1/2 finals in Everett. / Photo by Todd Milles

EVERETT, Wash. - Sophomore Shae Erickson hit a pair of home runs, including a highlight grand slam, as Issaquah High School clinched its first bi-district softball championship in school history with a 14-6 victory Friday over KingCo champion Skyline at Phil Johnson Ballfields.

The game featured 14 extra-base hits, including seven home runs.

"I figured (the game) would be a little more scrappy and fighting. I wasn't expecting that many (home runs)," Skyline coach Matt Steen said. "Now it doesn't shock me. We have kids who can mash, and so do they."

After Skyline rallied to tie the game, 5-5, on Shea Staley's two-run double in the third inning, the Eagles wasted no time with an answer.

Against reliever Elin Aageson, Shaina Starnicky broke the tie with a leadoff hone run to right field.

Five batters later, Erickson came up with the bases loaded against Abby Haapala, who was reinserted after starting the game.

And Erickson socked a moonshot grand slam home run high over the right-field fence to cap a six-run inning, giving Issaquah an 11-5 cushion.

"I've been struggling a lot this season to find that (bat) barrel," said Erickson, who reached base in all five plate appearances, including three walks - finishing with seven RBI.

"I've been working a lot with my dad at home, and with coaches on hitting work. That is a big part of how much my swing has improved over the season."

The inning-capping grand slam also seemed to settle Erickson down in the circle. She retired nine batters in a row in the middle innings.

"She is remarkable," Issaquah coach Brie Baumann said. "She is an amazing teammate. She is an amazing athlete. Nothing gets her down. She always answers back."

Starnicky later added a solo blast in the sixth inning.

Devyn Wilson also crushed two runs, including a leadoff home run for the Spartans in the first inning to cut Issaquah's lead to 2-1.

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