CONNOR’S PICKS
Fastpitch softball: Blaine at Lynden
4 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, Lynden High School
Even though these teams are in different athletic classifications (Lynden is 2A and Blaine is 1A), this will be one of the better fastpitch games of the regular season in the Northwest Conference.
Lynden (8-1, 4-1 NWC) recently lost its first game of the season after sitting atop the league standings while Blaine (5-0, 4-0 NWC) is among the top four. Blaine is the only team in the conference that remains undefeated more than a month into the season.
Blaine is fueled by its senior pitcher, Emersyn Bakker, who has allowed just eight hits, three earned runs and seven walks in 23 innings pitched. Bakker has also struck out 49 of the 90 batters she has faced. The Borderites have outscored their last four opponents 56-0.
Lynden thrives off its offense, piling up eight home runs in eight games and scoring double-digit runs in all but two games this season. Senior Trinity Andrew leads the Lions with three homers.
This contest will likely have huge league title implications, depending on how the remainder of the season plays out for both squads.
WWU: Softball vs. Central Washington
Noon and 2:30 p.m., April 19–20, Viking Field
Any Western Washington University athletics fan knows that matchups with Central Washington — in any sport — are the crème de la crème.
This season, Vikings fans have plenty of reason to be excited for Western’s four-game home series against the Wildcats. Western (30-4, 10-2 Great Northwest Athletic Conference) has won 13 straight games, most recently sweeping Simon Fraser April 5–6.
It’s the second time this season the Vikings have won 13 in a row, which matches a program record originally set in 2001. Western could be up to 17 straight victories by the time this series rolls around.
Central Washington (11-22, 6-6 GNAC) is in the middle of the league standings, and the Wildcats lost three straight to close out its last series versus Northwest Nazarene.
Recreation: Rebound Families 5K Fundraiser
10 a.m., Saturday, April 20, Lake Padden
Rebound Families, a nonprofit organization based in Bellingham, is hosting a 5K fundraiser at one of the city’s most popular walking and running locations: Lake Padden.
The organization works with families “trying to recover and rebuild after experiencing the devastating effects of trauma,” according to its mission statement. All fitness levels are welcome and proceeds go directly to Rebound Families.
The event costs $25 per person or $30 per family. Pets are not permitted. Registration is available on online.
FULL CALENDAR
Friday, April 12
Baseball
Blaine at Sedro-Woolley, 4 p.m.
Mount Vernon at Meridian, 4 p.m.
Sehome at Lakewood, 4 p.m.
Ferndale at Oak Harbor, 4 p.m.
Nooksack Valley at Lynden Christian, 4:30 p.m.
Burlington-Edison at Mount Baker, 4:30 p.m.
Lynden at Bellingham, 6 p.m.
Anacortes at Squalicum, 6:45 p.m.
Fastpitch Softball
Nooksack Valley at Kittitas, 2:30 p.m.
Lynden Christian vs. Elma, 4:30 p.m., at College Place High School
Boys soccer
Mount Vernon at Squalicum, 7 p.m.
WWU
Track and field at Bryan Clay Invitational, all day, Azusa, California
Softball at Montana State Billings, 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
MLB
Chicago Cubs at Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Recreation
Open Roller Skate, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Depot Market Square
Saturday, April 13
Baseball
Oak Harbor at Ferndale, 12 p.m.
Fastpitch Softball
Blaine vs. Hoquiam, 9 a.m., at Mill Creek Sportsplex
Meridian vs. Tenino, 9 a.m., at Walla Walla Community College
Mount Baker vs. Elma, 11 a.m., at Mill Creek Sportsplex
Lynden Christian vs. Columbia (White Salmon), 11 a.m., at Walla Walla Community College
Granite Falls at Bellingham, 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Blaine vs. Montesano, 2 p.m., at Mill Creek Sportsplex
Meridian vs. Columbia (White Salmon), 2 p.m., at Walla Walla Community College
Lynden Christian vs. Tenino, 4 p.m., at Walla Walla Community College
Track and field
Lynden, Meridian, Mount Baker, Nooksack Valley at Cashmere Invitational, 11 a.m., Cashmere High School
Boys soccer
Blaine at Ferndale, 12 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Sedro-Woolley, 12 p.m.
Meridian at South Whidbey, 1 p.m.
WWU
Track and field at Bryan Clay Invitational, all day, Azusa, California
Softball at Montana State Billings, 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
NHL
Seattle Kraken at Dallas Stars, 12 p.m.
MLB
Chicago Cubs at Seattle Mariners, 6:40 p.m.
Recreation
Birch Bay Road Race, 8 a.m., Birch Bay
Sunday, April 14
NHL
Seattle Kraken at St. Louis Blues, 10 a.m.
MLB
Chicago Cubs at Seattle Mariners, 1:10 p.m.
Monday, April 15
Fastpitch Softball
Ferndale at La Conner, 4 p.m.
Sedro-Woolley at Blaine, 4 p.m.
Girls golf
Bellingham, Lynden at B-E Girls Golf Invite, 8 a.m., at Skagit Golf and Country Club
Boys soccer
Lynden Christian at Mount Baker, 4:30 p.m.
Lynden at Mount Vernon, 7 p.m.
Sehome at Bellingham, 7 p.m.
Ferndale at Anacortes, 7 p.m.
Girls tennis
Lynden at Anacortes, 4 p.m.
MLB
Cincinnati Reds at Seattle Mariners, 6:45 p.m.
Recreation
SPIN Dance, 6 p.m., Bloedel Gymnasium/Multipurpose Room
Tuesday, April 16
Baseball
Squalicum at Mount Vernon, 4 p.m.
Sedro-Woolley at Lynden, 4 p.m.
Meridian at Burlington-Edison, 4 p.m.
Bellingham at Ferndale, 4 p.m.
Oak Harbor at Sehome, 4:30 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Mount Baker, 4:30 p.m.
Blaine at Nooksack Valley, 6 p.m.
Fastpitch Softball
Blaine at Lynden, 4 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Meridian, 4 p.m.
Sehome art Sedro-Woolley, 4:30 p.m.
Ferndale at Nooksack Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Anacortes at Bellingham, 6 p.m.
Boys golf
Blaine, Bellingham Lynden, Lynden Christian, Meridian, Mount Baker, Nooksack Valley, Sehome, Squalicum, Ferndale at Birger Solberg Invite, 3 p.m., at North Bellingham Golf Course
Girls golf
Bellingham, Blaine, Lynden, Meridian, Nooksack Valley, Squalicum, 3 p.m., Shuksan Golf Course
Boys soccer
Nooksack Valley at Meridian, 7 p.m.
Track and field
LC Christian School Invite, 4 p.m., at Lynden Christian
Girls tennis
Sehome at Squalicum, 4 p.m.
Bellingham at Mount Vernon, 4 p.m.
Blaine at Lakewood, 4 p.m.
Burlington-Edison at Ferndale, 4 p.m.
Lynden at Oak Harbor, 4 p.m.
NHL
Seattle Kraken at Winnipeg Jets, 5 p.m.
MLB
Cincinnati Reds at Seattle Mariners, 6:45 p.m.
Wednesday, April 17
Baseball
Nooksack Valley at Lynden, 4 p.m.
Ferndale at Sedro-Woolley, 4 p.m.
Mount Baker at Meridian, 4 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Blaine, 4:30 p.m.
Sehome at Bellingham, 6 p.m.
Burlington-Edison at Squalicum, 6:45 p.m.
Fastpitch Softball
Bellingham at Mount Vernon, 4:30 p.m.
Mount Baker at Squalicum, 6:30 p.m.
Girls golf
Ferndale, Lynden, 3 p.m., at Avalon Golf Links
Boys soccer
Squalicum at Ferndale, 7 p.m.
Anacortes at Sehome, 7 p.m.
Track and field
Ferndale at Oak Harbor, 3:30 p.m.
MLB
Cincinnati Reds at Seattle Mariners, 1:10 p.m.
Thursday, April 18
Fastpitch Softball
Blaine at Ferndale, 4 p.m.
Nooksack Valley at Sehome, 4:30 p.m.
Lynden at Lynden Christian, 4:30 p.m.
Boys golf
Sehome, Bellingham at Shotgun Start, 3 p.m., Sudden Valley Golf Course
Blaine, Ferndale, Lummi Nation, Lynden, Meridian, Mount Baker, Nooksack Valley, Squalicum, 3 p.m., Shuksan Golf Course
Boys soccer
Oak Harbor at Lynden, 4:30 p.m.
Bellingham at Sedro-Woolley, 7 p.m.
Blaine at Meridian, 7 p.m.
Lynden Christian at Lakewood, 7 p.m.
Mount Baker at Nooksack Valley, 7 p.m.
Track and field
Meridian at Burlington-Edison, 3:45 p.m.
Girls tennis
Squalicum at Burlington-Edison, 3:45 p.m.
Ferndale at Lynden, 4 p.m.
Oak Harbor at Blaine, 4 p.m.
Sedro-Woolley at Bellingham, 4 p.m., at Western Washington University
Sehome at Anacortes, 4 p.m.
NHL
Seattle Kraken at Minnesota Wild, 4 p.m.
Friday, April 19
Baseball
Sehome at Burlington-Edison, 4 p.m.
Lynden at Meridian, 4 p.m.
Bellingham at Lynden Christian, 4:30 p.m.
Ferndale at Mount Baker, 4:30 p.m.
Lakewood at Nooksack Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Blaine at Squalicum, 6:45 p.m.
Fastpitch Softball
Squalicum at Meridian, 4 p.m.
Lynden at Cedarcrest, 4 p.m.
Coupeville at Blaine, 4 p.m.
Lakewood at Mount Baker, 4:30 p.m.
Boys soccer
Mount Vernon at Sehome, 7 p.m.
Girls tennis
Northwest Conference 2A Doubles Tournament, 4 p.m., at Sehome High School
WWU
Softball at Central Washington, 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
MLB
Seattle Mariners at Colorado Rockies, 5:40 p.m.
Saturday, April 20
Baseball
Lynnwood at Ferndale, 12 p.m.
Fastpitch Softball
Lynden Christian at Blaine, 12 p.m.
Lynden at Lake Washington, 12 p.m.
Boys soccer
Squalicum at Anacortes, 12 p.m.
South Whidbey at Nooksack Valley, 1 p.m.
Ferndale at Oak Harbor, 2 p.m.
Track and field
Squalicum at Viking Classic, 12 p.m., at Lake Stevens
Girls tennis
Northwest Conference 2A Doubles Tournament, 4 p.m., at Sehome High School
WWU
Track and Field at Central Washington Wildcat Invitational, all day
Softball at Central Washington, 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Men’s soccer exhibition at Seattle University, 7 p.m.
MLB
Seattle Mariners at Colorado Rockies, 5:10 p.m.
Recreation
Earth Day Community Work Party at Squalicum Creek, 9 a.m., Squalicum Creek re-route site
Rebound Families 5K Fundraiser, 10 a.m., Lake Padden
Sunday, April 21
MLB
Seattle Mariners at Colorado Rockies, 12:10 p.m.
Recreation
Spring Naturalist Series: Botany and Nature Awareness, 1 p.m., 1201 1/2 Dupont St., Bellingham
CDN’s sports calendar is published online Thursdays and in print Fridays. To submit an event for consideration, email connorbenintendi@cascadiadaily.com. News Producer Eric Trent compiled the featured listings.
Connor J. Benintendi is a former CDN sports reporter, send tips and information to newstips@cascadiadaily.com.
