For Adna High School’s Danika Hallom, catching runs in the family.
Her mother Candace was a backstop in her prep career and at one point, so too was her daughter as a little-leaguer in her 10U days. Once Hallom got to Adna, she was patrolling the outfield.
Still, she was doing some catching work in practice. Just in case something came transpired or a switch needed to be made.
Assistant coach Mike McDonald called for the change to move Hallom from center to behind the plate in the 2024 district tournament. The rest is history.
Hallom was one of the catalysts in helping the Pirates claim the throne once again in Class 2B and the Lower Columbia College recruit caps her prep career with being named as The Chronicle’s All-Area MVP.
“I did have a lot of good tips from (my mom),” Hallom said.
Even as Hallom was getting reps at catcher in practice, she had a hunch something was going to happen. There was no formal conversation with head coach Bruce Pocklington about the potential of a position change.
Like she did in volleyball and basketball, Hallom cares about the goals of her team, rather than herself.
“I kind of had a feeling it was going to happen,” Hallom said.
In her final 20-plus games for Adna, her batting average (.565), on base percentage (.619), slugging (.906) and OPS (1.524) were all team-highs. She also launched five home runs, drove in 45 runs and scored 53 times.
Defensively, she had a fielding percentage of 97.5 and had 17 assists along with 98 putouts.
In the four state tournament games in Yakima, Hallom had multiple hits in the quarterfinals, semifinals and state title game.
The dreams of a three-peat, something no other 2B school had ever done, was complete.
“Towards the middle of the year, we weren't playing the best softball; we had doubts,” Hallom said. “We got humbled in districts and then we came to state and we were ready to play softball the way it's supposed to be played.”
Hallom won’t go far from Adna, off to one of the premier JUCO programs in LCC, who just capped off a perfect season with an NWAC title.
She will, however, remember what it meant to be a Pirate and through all the ups and downs, felt like she accomplished everything she set her mind to.
“So grateful,” Hallom said. “These past five years in softball have been an incredible experience. Going to 12 state tournaments and placing 11 times is something I never would have thought I could ever do in high school, is just crazy.
“Thank you Adna.”
The Chronicle’s All-Area Softball Team:
Kendall Humphrey, Adna
A senior alongside Hallom who has been a multi-year starter for the Pirates, the shortstop drove in 44 runs and launched five home runs. She finished with a slash line of .456/.548/.810 and an OPS of 1.358 to be on the C2BL first team.
Hadleigh Gerard, Adna
The first-year Pirate fit like a glove at second base with a 93 fielding percentage. At the plate, she scored 49 times as their leadoff hitter and drew 29 walks. Gerard earned her second straight C2BL first team honor.
Jaime Haase, Tumwater
Back on the all-area team for the second consecutive season, the T-Birds backstop finished with just two errors on 247 total chances. Haase hit six home runs and recorded 41 RBIs en route to another EvCo first team selection.
Ella Ferguson, Tumwater
Bound for Sacramento State in the fall, the Thunderbirds unquestioned ace put the finishing touches on a star-studded career. Ferguson tallied 176 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.83 while in 65 plate appearances, had 11 extra base hits and 15 RBIs.
McKenna Vassar, Rochester
One of seven seniors that pushed the Warriors to a Class 1A runner-up finish, Vassar put together a final season to remember. She hit .500 at the plate, scored 45 times and struck out just once all season. Vassar also recorded 10 stolen bases.
Layna Demers, Rochester
At one point, it was a question if the senior would pitch an inning this spring. She turned in over 81 innings and registered a 1.63 ERA with 126 strikeouts to earn the 1A Evergreen League’s defensive MVP. Demers also hit five homers and drove in 41 runs.
Taysia Miller, Toledo
The freshman was a stout hitter for a Riverhawks team that took third place in Class 2B. She drove in 34 runs, scored a team-high 45 runs and roped 16 extra base hits. It garnered Miller a spot on the C2BL first team.
Peyton Holter, Toledo
A two-way star that has been now a three-year varsity starter as a sophomore put together one of her best seasons as a prep. The right-hander came away with 16 wins and 172 strikeouts in the circle plus 46 RBIs at the plate to be a Co-C2BL MVP.
Keira Anderson, Rainier
One of the most feared hitters in the C2BL made the most out of her senior year with an eye-popping OPS of 1.817 and a slugging percentage of 1.127. Anderson also hit nine home runs and registered 44 RBIs to nab co-C2BL MVP honors.
Lauren Matlock, Pe Ell/Willapa Valley
One of the best pure hitters in the area, the junior outfielder did it all to lead the Titans to a fourth place finish in Class 2B. She slugged over 1.000, launched six homers and drove in 38 runs. Over half of her hits went for extra bases on her way to being named P2BL MVP.
Sophia Milanowski, Pe Ell/Willapa Valley
The junior hit in the heart of the Titans’ order and delivered, roping 10 home runs that tied for the most in the area and recorded an area-best 53 RBIs. Milanowski earned P2BL first team honors behind a team-high 1.050 slugging percentage.
Avalon Myers, W.F. West
Although the senior shortstop couldn’t break the school record for single season home runs – which would have landed her a duck – Myers still hit 10 of them, tying for the best in the area. Myers also drove in 38 runs, drew 23 walks and registered a .449 batting average.
Taylor Tobin, W.F. West
In a conference with three Division I recruits, Tobin more than held her own in her sophomore season. She led the Bearcats in the circle with 14 wins, a 2.74 earned run average and a staggering 156 strikeouts. It was more than enough to earn her EvCo first team honors.
Hannah Fay, Napavine
The heartbeat of the Tigers in the circle and at the plate shined in helping them reach their first state tournament in eight years. Fay recorded 11 wins and 73 strikeouts and hit .473 with five home runs and 46 RBIs. She also had a WHIP under two.
Kailey Miller, Black Hills
Much of the Wolves’ turnaround to reach the district tournament was behind Miller’s stellar play at shortstop. The junior was a complete player with a .391 batting average, 20 RBIs, 13 total extra base hits, 28 runs scored, 14 stolen bases and turning eight double plays.
