The goal of every team is to be playing their best come playoff time. It looks like the Thomas Jefferson Raiders fastpitch team is doing exactly that.

After entering the South Puget Sound League Tournament on a three-game losing streak, the Raiders won three out of four Thursday and Friday to snag the league’s fourth seed into the West Central District Tournament.

Jefferson (16-8) beat Emerald Ridge in their opener Thursday at Kent’s Service Fields, before being shut out, 4-0, to SPSL North co-champ Tahoma in the quarterfinals on just one hit.

But the Raiders, who finished fourth in the SPSL North during the regular season, came back Friday in impressive fashion. Jefferson posted a pair of 10-0, five-inning shutout wins over Kentwood and Kentridge.

The Raiders will open the West Central District Tournament against the Bellarmine Prep Lions at 10 a.m. at the Sprinker Recreation Center in Tacoma Friday morning. Bellarmine finished fifth in the Narrows League.

The top six teams from the 16-team field advance to the Class 4A State Fastpitch Tournament, which will be held May 28-29 at the South End Recreation Area (SERA) in Tacoma.

Raider starting pitcher Katie Jackson was dominant during TJ’s three victories. Jackson threw complete games in all three and allowed only the one earned run against Emerald Ridge. In total, Jackson gave up 11 total hits during the three wins and struck out 12.

The Raider offense, especially senior shortstop Hannah Kiyohara, was also impressive during the victories. Kiyohara, who has already inked a letter of intent to play next year at Louisville, finished 7 for 10 with nine runs scored, four RBIs, two doubles and two triples.

Christi Bruin also had a big game Friday during the 10-0 win over Kentridge. The senior catcher finished 2 for 4 with a run and two RBIs. Jackson was 1 for 2 with a double and three RBIs in the same game.

Beamer finishes 1-2 at SPSL’s to earn ninth seed

The Todd Beamer Titans (12-11) snared the SPSL’s ninth seed into the West Central District Tournament with a 4-3 win over Emerald Ridge Friday at the Kent Service Fields.

The Titans will take on the South Kitsap Wolves, the Narrows League champs, at 10 a.m. at the Sprinker Recreation Center on Friday in the double-elimination tournament.

Beamer was forced into the ninth/10th game against Emerald Ridge after losing a pair of games Thursday in Kent. The Titans were beaten by Kentridge, 6-2, and Kentwood, 6-2.

Against Kentridge, Beamer got a pair of hits and runs from Sarah Petosa and an RBI from Emma Blauser.