The Ballard Beavers played host to a talented Woodinville Cougar team last Friday at Lower Woodland and the guests brought their big bats to the party.

The Cougars shut out Ballard 5 to 0. Ballard heads into the stretch run of the season with a 4-6-league record and 8-6 overall.

Woodinville pitcher Lindsay Broughton worked seven innings and struck out nine Beavers to lead her team to the win.

"If we stayed healthy, we would be a lot better. We've had a lot of injuries," said Head Coach Al Lowe.

During one game, three players Ballard relies on were hurt. They included pitcher Leslie Ellingsen, third base defensive standout Hallie Hemmingsen and always tough and reliable catcher, Emily Gussin.

Freshman Elisa Vatn is out for the season. As a result of the banged up lineup, Lowe has juggled girls in the starting positions.

The Beavers are in fourth place in the KingCo Lake Division behind leader Redmond (10-0), Skyline (5-3) and Bothell (5-5). Lake Washington (1-8) and Garfield (0-9) sit at the bottom of the standings and are considered out of contention.

Woodinville came into the Ballard game with a 8-1record to lead the Mountain Division. Juanita (7-2), Eastlake (7-3) and Inglemoor (5-3), Franklin (2-6) and Roosevelt (0-10) take up the rear of the pack.

The top two teams in the two KingCo divisions will automatically qualify for the playoffs. The next six teams with the best records will also advance.

"We're in a good position. We got off track. If we can get back on track we'll be good to go," said Lowe.

The Beavers had their best offensive performance of the season in the 9-0 win over Roosevelt. Leslie Ellingsen was 2-3 at the plate, scored two runs, four RBI and a grand slam homer in the fourth inning. Emily Gussin added two runs, Nicole Murray had an RBI and Kelly Ohm recorded a run and an RBI.Pitcher Tara French had the hot hand against Franklin with 12 strikeouts.

In recent games, the team has not hit well. "Our hitting needs to improve. We were doing well until the Redmond game. Then something happened, it's all mental, we hit before," said Lowe.

Ballard can earn two wins when they play Lake Washington on May 3 on the road and Garfield on April 28 at home.

They'll have a harder time with Inglemoor on April 26, Bothell on May 5, Skyline on May 9 and Redmond on May 11 to close out the regular season. All these games are on the road.