The Rebel softball team is now 4-0 against cross-town rival Lake Washington after a 5-2 victory Thursday for the district title at Lower Woodland Park in Seattle.

The win comes on the heels of Juanita defeating the Kangs for the KingCo title last week. But Lake Washington keeps getting closer to beating the defending state champions. Both teams qualified for the state tournament next week.

“I am just so proud of our girls. They have really played as a team and are never selfish,” said Juanita coach Kristian Dahl, whose team won the state title last year. “We expected to go in and have some tough games. It has been a different focus this year because we have that target. They just do a good job of taking one game at a time. Every team gives us their absolute best.”

The win for the Rebels (21-1) came despite only one of their runs being earned. The Rebels jumped on top of the Kangs during the first inning, scoring three runs and adding a fourth run during the second inning. But Lake Washington battled back, scoring two during the fourth to keep the game close. Juanita would extend their lead to 5-2 during the sixth.

Juanita’s Allison Rhodes continued her dominating ways, throwing a complete game four-hitter, with six strikeouts, three walks and allowing just one-earned run.

“A lot of times a player will sign (their letter of intent) and sit back,” said Dahl of his star pitcher, who signed a letter of intent with Notre Dame. “But she still wants to prove what she can do. EVen when she doesn’t have her best stuff physically she is able to be mentally tough and battle through it.”

Lake Washington pitcher Whitney Dunlap pitched equally well, throwing a complete game seven-hitter, walking just one and giving up just the one earned-run. Dani Faist, Aliah Sweere and Rachel O’Neill all had two hits each for the Rebels. Kayla Hill was 2-for-3 with an RBI for the Kangs.

Despite the loss, Lake Washington keeps improving against their cross-town rival. During their first meeting the Rebels won 9-2. The Kangs got closer on April 26 with a 4-0 loss. The team lost the KingCo title by a score of 9-1.

“Lake Washington played phenomenally against us,” said Dahl. “The teams in KingCo are getting much better.”

Lake Washington is the only team to really challenge Juanita during the post season. The Rebels slammed Liberty 11-0 in a mercy rule shortened five-inning game during the district semi-finals on Thursday.

The Rebels hit early and often, scoring five in the first, two in the second and four during the third, while collecting 10 hits. They only gave up four hits as Rhodes struck out nine Patriots and walked just one. Faist, Swere, Keana Miller and Abbey Oswald all collected two hits. Swere had three RBI, while Miller knocked in two with a triple.

Lake Washinton’s road to the final was a little more challenging, beating Mount Si 8-6 Thursday during the district semi-final.

Taylor Ferleman, Jenny Hill and Audrey Sundene had two RBI each for Lake Washington, as Sundene scattered 13 hits and four earned runs for the win.

The 2012 3A State Softball Championships will be held at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey May 25-26.