Bearcats blast past Hilanders in season opener

The W.F. West softball team started its 2024 season off on the right foot on Thursday, as the Bearcats topped Kelso 12-4 at Recreation Park.

After a scoreless first, Kinley Fragner got W.F. West (1-0) on the board with an RBI double in the bottom of the second, and the Bearcats added two more to go up 3-0 after two. After a bases-loaded walk, Taylor Tobin pushed the lead to 6-0 with a two-run single.

Kelso was able to plate four in the top of the fourth, but the Bearcats matched the Hilanders in the bottom half. Monroe Dalrymple brought home a run on an RBI knock, Tobin brought home two more on a double, and another scored on a walk.

W.F. West added two more in the sixth for good measure.

Tobin and Dalrymple were stellar in the circle and at the plate. Dalrymple pitched the first four and a third, giving up four hits and just one earned run while walking four and striking out seven, and she also went 3 for 4 with a double, an RBI, and two runs at the plate.

Tobin pitched the final two and two-thirds, striking out five and giving up one hit without allowing a run. She finished the day 2 for 4 with a double and six RBIs.

The Bearcats are back in action on Friday at Recreation Park, where they’ll host North Thurston.