The Central 2B League always sends the heavy hitters to Yakima for the state softball tournament.
This year, with just four state berths for District 4, the C2BL didn’t mess around.
Three of this year’s entries — Adna, Toutle Lake and Pe Ell-Willapa Valley — are responsible for the last eight state titles, and 10 of the last 11 championships.
Adna has won three titles in the last seven years; Toutle Lake has won five since 2004; and Pe Ell, back when it was just the Trojans, brought back the gold glove trophy in 2009 and 2011.
How will the power trio, and newcomer (at the 2B level) Onalaska fare this year? Here’s a quick look at the local squads.
Adna
Regular Season: 18-1 overall, 16-0 in League (1st)
How They Got Here: second-place finish at District 4 tournament, losing to Toutle Lake 11-10 in championship
Outlook: The defending state champion Pirates have continued their impressive play through the 2016 season — Adna had just one loss during the regular season, to 1A school Hoquiam, along with the loss to Toutle Lake in the district championship. Adna and Toutle Lake are at opposite sides of the state bracket, making a rematch at the state final possible.
“We’ll bounce back, “Adna coach Mike Raschke said. “We wanted triple crown, but that wasn’t the ultimate goal. That’s the golden glove.”
The Pirates’ first-round matchup is with Asotin, the 4th place finisher out of the District 7/9 tournament.
Adna’s top hitters include Kendra Stajduhar, Shanay Dotson and Darian Humphrey.
“Humphrey has been swinging the bat well for us lately,” Raschke said.
The Pirates go-to pitchers are Jenikka Poppe and Samantha Rolfe.
“Defensively we’ve just got to clean it up,” Raschke said. “We haven’t been as sharp as we were at the beginning or middle of the season. But the pitching is still on, the hitting is still there.”
Onalaska
Regular Season: 7-10 overall, 6-10 in league (6th)
How They Got Here: fourth-place finish at districts with wins over Ilwaco, Tacoma Baptist, Ocosta and Morton-White Pass. Lost to PWV in 3rd/4th place game, 11-10.
Outlook: Despite finishing with the sixth best record in the Central 2B League, Onalaska went on a tear in the loser’s bracket of the district tournament, winning three straight loser-out games to clinch a trip to Yakima. This is the Loggers’ first state tournament since 2012.
“We always try to pride ourselves on playing our best at this time,” Onalaska coach Ken Ulery said. “This year we were able to take that next step to state.”
The Loggers are led offensively by the trio of Alicia Vint, Gabby Wright and Nicolle Duryea. Vint has a .565 batting average after districts and a .690 on base percentage. Wright has a .500 BA, six home runs and 33 RBIs. Duryea has a 456 BA, with four home runs and 25 RBIs.
In the circle, Onalaska relies on the duo of Wright and freshman Amy Henderson.
Onalaska’s first round opponent DeSales took the District 7/9 title with a 4-1 win over Dayton. The Irish are led by ace pitcher Kaylee Brown, who struck out 10 in the district final.
Added Ulery: I’m confident that if we control the controllables and play within ourselves, we’re a good ball team. I believe anybody can beat anybody. That’s what I’ve been trying to convince the girls.”
Pe Ell-Willapa Valley
Regular Season: 14-5 overall, 11-5 in league (tied for 3rd)
How They Got Here: third at districts, beating Onalaska in 3rd/4th place game. Lost to Adna in semifinals
Outlook: The Titans were undefeated at districts against everyone but Adna, including a loser-out win over C2BL runner-up Napavine, 10-6. PWV also beat Toledo 7-0 and Ocasta 18-1.
This is the first state tournament for the Ken Olson-led Pe Ell-Willapa Valley team, in its second year of existence.
Dakota Brooks, named the C2B MVP, is the Titans’ ace pitcher and a slugger on offense. Brooks hit .620 this season, with seven home runs and 35 RBIs.
Infielders Samantha Woodward and Kamryn Adkins are also key batters for PWV.
The Titans averaged 10.6 runs scored this season, good for second in the C2BL.
The Titans meet District 7/9 runner-up Dayton in its first game on Friday. Dayton reached the quarterfinals of last year’s state tournament. In the regular season the Bulldogs were second in the Southeast 2B League.
