Collins heroics earn Tritons extra inning win, split with Trojans

LYNNWOOD -- After a tough first game setback – and a sour start to the nightcap – with one swing of the bat, Olivia Collins assured Triton softball a split with North Region rival Everett CC on Tuesday night.

Everett took advantage of some free passes in the first game to jump ahead in the early innings. They would not surrender that lead and went on to top the Tritons in five innings, 9-1, in the first contest. Brianna Salazar's solo home run accounted for the only Triton run in the fourth.

The Trojans rode that momentum into the second game and posted a 9-spot in the first frame. Shelby Baguio's three-run jack in the bottom half started what would end up being a wild come-from-behind victory for the Tritons. Six more runs came across in the bottom of the third to tie the game 9-9 by way of Olivia Collins RBI single, Piper Nissen's RBI double, Ciara Inovejas's RBI single, Jenaly Gabriel's 2-RBI double, and Baguio's two-run single. Emma Hansen's solo shot in the top of the seventh looked like the cushion Everett needed to complete the sweep, and extended their lead to 14-9. That's when Olivia Collins heroics began -- her three-run home run gave the Tritons life, cutting the deficit to one run. Fighting to stay alive, Aliya Boonsripisal's two-out double plated the tying run, sending the game to extra innings. Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth, and with two outs, Collins launched a blast deep to left-center field to complete the walk-off win.

Edmonds (14-6) improved to 7-1 in the North and came into the doubleheader riding a six-game win streak against region opponents after disposing of Highline, Skagit Valley, and Shoreline.

Three hurlers have shared innings in the circle – sophomore Bella Carazo has logged 37.2 IP, and the freshmen duo of Emersyn Bakker (35.2 IP) and Olivia Collins (34.2 IP) have covered the rest.

The offense has been a gaudy from top to bottom. Three players are batting over .400 and six more are above .300. Brianna Salazar is the leader in batting average (.459) and hits (28) and is tied for the most doubles with (6). Piper Nissen is right behind her, sporting a .425 average. Olivia Collins and Shelby Baguio have been the run producers. Collins is slashing .397/.438/.879 and is the clubhouse leader in homers with 7; she is also tops in RBI with 35. Baguio is slashing .411/.468/.821 and has come on strong of late; she's clubbed 5 round trippers and has driven in 27.

Edmonds is ranked No. 6 in the first installment of the NWAC Coaches Poll that was released April 20.

Saturday's home twinbill against Bellevue will be an important one – the Bulldogs are 6-0 after three North Region series and are riding a seven-game win streak. First pitch is set for noon. General admission to all Triton home games is $7 or you can watch on our NWAC Sports Network Channel.

Wednesday's games vs. Pierce were postponed due to weather and have been rescheduled for Wednesday, April 9.

Olivia Collins postgame interview after the walk-off homer