Washington softball starts hot at Shriner Children’s Clearwater Invitational

The Washington Huskies got off to a roaring start at their weekend tournament in Clearwater, Florida.

The Washington Huskies started their weekend on the best note possible, earning two big wins over the No. 18 Kentucky Wildcats and Minnesota Golden Gophers in the Shriner Children’s Clearwater Invitational in Clearwater, Florida.

Coach Heather Tarr’s team earned an 8-1 victory over the Wildcats behind another strong performance from All-American Ruby Meylan in the circle. She gave up 1 unearned run over 5 innings while striking out 6 batters and walking 4, lowering her earned run average on the season to 0.43.

Sydney Stewart and Jillian Cellis both hit their first home runs of the season and Meylan got some help behind her, with Alana Johnson making a highlight reel catch in right field. The Huskies put together a five-run 5th inning to break the game open, capped off by a two-run triple by Avery Hobson.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Washington’s bats came alive once again to earn a 12-4 victory over the Golden Gophers. Olivia Johnson led the way, going 3 for 4 at the plate with 4 runs batted in, while Cellis added 3 hits and Brooke Nelson contributed with 3 RBIs.

Lindsey Lopez allowed 1 earned run over the final 4 innings of the game and earned her second win of the season.

The Huskies return to the diamond on Saturday for another doubleheader, with their first matchup of the day coming against the Wisconsin Badgers before a showdown with the No. 12 LSU Tigers.