LEBAM — Ever since she was little, Lauren Matlock has been around a baseball or softball field. Her mom and dad played slowpitch and her older sister, Olivia, was a stout pitcher for the Pe Ell/Willapa Valley softball team.
When Lauren posted four photos on social media announcing her commitment to Western Washington, the last one was her as a toddler with a pink helmet and a home plate with a tee on the grass.
“I learned the game a lot better and got to it a lot quicker,” Matlock said. “We were always somewhere. I was always watching, learning and taking it in.”
Like her sibling, Matlock has established her own legacy as a Titan. She was a first team all-P2BL player as an eighth grader, a key part in their 2022 state championship run and has shredded opposing pitchers on a game-by-game basis.
And Matlock could accomplish what her sister could not.
Win two state titles.
PWV brings nearly every starter back off a fourth place finish in Yakima and a runner-up finish in Class 2B District 4. Matlock is the catalyst in the outfield as the returning P2BL Co-MVP with a batting average north of .550, six home runs and 38 RBIs.
“She has her seat with some of the best that have come (through) here,” Titans head coach Eric Hopfer said. “Lauren is very fundamental, outgoing, and a great leader. She puts in lots of hours and the players that do that, they’re working on their craft.
“Kind of hard not to (be good).”
Watching Olivia dominate the sport in her high school career set the standard for Lauren to come in and duplicate it. As an eighth grader, Hopfer once told her that amongst her peers, they look up to her.
“She looked at me like ‘What?’” he said with a chuckle. “She was outspoken. You talk, they listen.”
Sophia Milanowski confirmed it.
“She holds herself high and her confidence radiates," the senior catcher said. “When she’s around, we’re all happier. It is an honor to be on the same team as her.”
Matlock sets the tone at the top of PWV’s lineup. Last spring’s state tournament proved how deadly it is.
The Titans put up 20-plus runs in the Round of 16 and the quarterfinals, then rebounded after a semifinal loss to Adna with another 19 runs in the winner-to-trophy game in Yakima and scored 13 in the third/fourth contest versus Toledo.
Milanowski, pitcher Eliza Barnum, Tylar Keeton and C.J. Sipp all are back after being either a first or second team all-league pick.
“I think we’re ready to start playing, go far in districts and go far in state,” Matlock said. “We’re not going to stop in the third/fourth place game. What matters is playing well.”
Barnum returns to the circle and Milanowski feels through the offseason and practices in the gym in Lebam, there is a brewing confidence that high walk numbers and some inconsistencies in the playoffs are a thing of the past.
“She’s worked a lot this summer and pitches almost everyday,” Milanowski said. “This year, she has a better mental approach.”
Hopfer referred to this group as more “mature.” He stated even with coming back to West Lewis County with hardware, he wanted the bounty of returners to “have the sour taste” linger.
“I think we have a great shot,” Hopfer added. “We’re not eighth and ninth graders anymore. This class, they got thrown into the lions the year we won (2022). They’ve grown up and they’ve done a lot better.”
Not only do the Ravens present their own challenge within the league, but in District 4, Adna returns a hefty amount, Toledo brings everyone back and Napavine has a handful of players in their senior years.
Still, PWV feels this is its best chance since four years ago to hoist the big trophy. It would symbolize the growth of the senior class, being it was four years ago when Hopfer took over for the legendary Ken Olson.
Hopfer has seen the progress first-hand. The Titans now get the chance to prove they can reclaim the top spot in 2B.
“It would be really great,” Matlock said.
