The Mount Si varsity softball team righted the proverbial ship last week, putting two big games in the win column with help from promising young players and a few vets formerly out due to injury.

In the Wildcats’ Thursday, April 21, match against Interlake, freshman Lauren Padilla started things out on the mound. In only her second start as pitcher, Padilla held the Saints to one run, in the first, over five innings. She was relieved in the final inning by Kendra Lee, but coaching staff said that Padilla deserved plenty of credit for the win.

With Mount Si claiming three runs in the first, from Maura Murphy, Lauren Smith and Rachael Picchena, the game settled down to a battle of defenses. But Interlake tied the score in the sixth, sending two runners across the plate. But, in only her third game back since returning from an ankle injury, Murphy slammed a triple over right field that brought home Celine Fowler, clinching the win, as Lee pitched a shutout final inning.

“I love winning,” Coach Larry White said. Interlake battled it out, he said; Mount Si beat them by a 10-run margin back in March.

Besides shortstop Murphy, senior Carly Wiedenbach also retook the field, recovering from an ankle injury.

Both Wiedenbach and Murphy were excited to be back.

The senior “got her feet wet today,” White said. “She’s going to help us a lot down the road.”

Murphy has been”ridiculous at the plate,” claiming Thursday’s triple as well as a big home run Wednesday, April 20, against Liberty.

“I’m seeing the ball well,” Murphy explained. “It’s always been my motto: See it, hit it.”

Padilla, who despite her youth brings serious select team and youth ball experience, praised Smith, who made some crucial plays with Jenny Carroll in the outfield.

“With her catch in the outfield and her hitting, she’s been outstanding,” she said.

Padilla now sets her sights on a revenge match on Juanita.

“I think we can get Bellevue,” she added.

In Wednesday’s game, Mount Si beat Liberty, 7-3. On the mound, Lee only gave up two earned runs in the fifth. Britney Stevens continued a hot streak, going two for three  and nailing a bunt single that scored a run. Nikki Carroll went 2 for 4 with an RBI and Rachael Picchena went one for three with a big double and two RBIs that opened up the game.

The Wildcats scattered 12 hits over six innings, while their Liberty opponents had no strikeouts, forcing the team to make plays on defense.

Mount Si hosts Sammamish on Tuesday, April 26, then faces Mercer Island on the road Thursday, April 28. Game time is 4:30 p.m