Defending state champion Sedro-Woolley stopped the host Oak Harbor High School fastpitch team 14-3 in five innings Monday, March 14, in the season opener for both teams.

Oak Harbor coach Jess Weikle said that not all was bleak in the loss to the powerful Cubs.

The Wildcats punched out seven hits, scored three runs and struck out just four times to show some offensive spark. Oak Harbor struggled at the plate in its one-win season last spring.

Abby Rankin led the offense with two hits, two RBI and a run.  Nichelle Trumbull had two hits, two walks and a run; Morgan Young had two hits and a run; and Amanda Pavey collected a hit and RBI.

Another trouble spot from last year, however, arose again as the Wildcats committed eight errors that led to some cheap runs for the Cubs.

Weikle, in reference to improved play, said, “It’s a matter of getting confidence.”

Sedro-Woolley scored in every inning, including three in the first to jump-start the win.  A four-run fourth put the game away. The Cubs finished with  14 hits and no errors.

The Wildcats go to Mount Vernon Wednesday, March 16, and then entertain Shorecrest in the league opener Friday, March 18, at 4 p.m.