The Chokers took on Everett Community College Trojans for a double header on Saturday with the cold and misty rain coming down consistently.

Game 1 was a hard fought battle by both the Chokers and the Raiders as both teams struggled to score throughout.  The Chokers struck first, when in the bottom of the 3rd inning Desiree Becherer got things going with a base hit up the middle.  Carron Blood then drew a walk and a passed ball allowed both Becherer and Blood to advance.  A ground ball to short stop from Ciara Mennitto allowed Becherer to score and Blood to move to 3B, plating the games first run. The Trojans struck back in the very next inning, however, and were able to scratch one across tying the game at 1 run a piece.  This is how the game remained as both teams had great pitching and great defense across the board.  The Trojans came out in the top of the 7th inning with a fly out, but then managed to draw a walk and a hit, placing runners at 2B and 1B.  An unfortunate mistake by the umpires cost the Chokers dearly as a missed interference call by the runner at 2B on a ground ball to Cayleigh White at short stop allowed all runners to be safe, loading the bases.  The runner ran into White while she was in the act of fielding the ball causing the ball to be misplayed, but was ruled an attempted tag play by the base umpire.  Coach White was not happy as he called time and questioned the call, but ultimately the umpires stuck with what they ruled on the field.  After the next batter walked and then the following batter struck out, what would have ended the inning, now only made two outs, and the Trojans capitalized big time.  They were able to clear the bases plus one more, totaling 4 runs and sealing the loss for the Chokers as they came up empty in the bottom of the 7th, losing 1-5.

Game 2 was a different story entirely as both teams plated double digit runs, battling back and forth all game.  The Trojans got on the board early, scoring two runs in the first with their first two batters accounting for those runs. They then held the Chokers scoreless through two innings.  The Trojans plated three more across in the top of the third off the big bats in the middle of their lineup with two singles, a triple and a homerun, taking the lead 5-0.  The Chokers had enough of being blanked on the scoreboard so far as Naomi Chavez and Kylee Espinoza started off the bottom of the 3rd inning with back to back doubles, followed up by a big swing by White hitting her first homerun of the season.  The Chokers weren't done in the 3rd as Blood started things back up with a double and was then hit in by Madison Erickson on an RBI single, getting the score back to manageable at 4-5, the Trojans still in the lead.  The Trojans tacked on two more runs in the 4th and the Chokers remained scoreless until the bottom of the 6th inning when they struck once more. Starting the inning off once again with Chavez and Espinoza, they both drew deep count walks to get two early base runners. White once again delivered putting an RBI single into the grass allowing Chavez to score easily and Espinoza to move to 3B.  After the speedy White stole 2B, Blood again came through with a 2-RBI single tying the game at 7-7..  A walk by Mennitto and a hit by pitch to Erickson loaded the bases for Ronni Graham who came up clutch lining a 2-RBI single over the first baseman's head, plating both Blood and Mennitto giving the Chokers a 9-7 lead going into the top of the 7th.  The Trojans came out of that half inning with a fire lit as they were not giving up without a fight.  Tallying 5 hits, 2 walks and 2 hit batters in the top of the 7th, unfortunately they were able to score 7 runs, taking a 9-14 lead and pretty much sealing the win.  The Chokers did not give up as Espinoza was hit by a pitch and managed her way around the bases, finally scoring on a wild pitch for the Chokers only run in the last inning, falling to the Trojans 10-14 as the final.  

Speaking with Head Coach Jake White after the games, he said, "Games like today are tough. Someone has to lose them and this time around it just happen to be us.  Even with taking both losses, this is probably the best we've played all year, including the Fall season.  I am extremely proud of the team for constantly being engaged and excited in both these games.  One of two things go our way and we come out with two wins instead of two losses.  If we continue to play like we did today, we will see a lot of success come our way." 

The Chokers had to cancel Sundays double header vs Highline College but are now looking at taking on Olympic College on 3/2/24 up in Bremerton.  Lets hope the weather holds off and the Chokers can build up these games and go out and earn a couple more wins!  Go Chokers!