After seven consecutive losses and more than three years without a win in the crosstown rivalry, the Juanita High softball team finally got the better of Lake Washington on Monday.
The Rebels rode a gem from pitcher Lisa Nelson — four hits, 11 strikeouts in seven innings — to a 9-2 victory over the Kangaroos at Lake Washington High School. Lake Washington won the season series 2-1, but Juanita snapped back to win rivalry showdown for the first time since April 30, 2013.
The loss holds Lake Washington’s feet to the fire during the final three games, as the Kangs (14-3 overall, 14-1) have three games remaining and a two-game lead over Juanita (13-5, 13-3) in the loss column.
It also snapped a 14-game winning streak for the Kangaroos.
Juanita jumped on the Kangs early, battering Lake Washington starter Jane Wilson for four hits and three walks in the first inning. Lexi Blackburn homered to center field with runners on first and second, giving the Rebels a quick 3-0 lead.
Juanita led 6-0 in the top of the fifth inning before Hannah Walker lifted a home run over the right field fence to score two runs. The Kangaroos put runners on second and third with one out, but Nelson struck out consecutive batters to quell the danger.
In all, Blackburn finished 2-for-4 from the plate with four RBIs. Jordan Schroeder went 3-for-4, and Kristina Warford went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs.
Tori Bivens stepped in to pitch the final six innings for Lake Washington.
Both teams are scheduled to play at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 4. Juanita is set to take on Bellevue at Juanita High School, while Lake Washington is scheduled to play at Sammamish High School.
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect the correct number of innings pitched by Tori Bivens.