Sports

Mark Morris softball shuts out W.F. West to win district championship

CHEHALIS - In a battle between the top seeds from the 2A Greater St. Helens League and the Evergreen 2A League, the Monarchs came out on top.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help

Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

Mark Morris softball beat W.F. West 11-0 in the District 4 2A Fastpitch Softball Tournament championship game on Friday at Recreation Park in Chehalis to claim the district title.

"We wanted the big three: league, districts, and state," senior Makenzie Henthorn said. "We're two down, and we've got one more to go."

Mark Morris softball: Celebration

Mark Morris softball players celebrate following their victory over W.F. West in the 2A State Fastpitch Softball Tournament championship game on Friday at Recreation Park in Chehalis. The Monarchs beat the Bearcats 11-0 to claim the district title and extend their shutout streak to 15 games.

The Monarchs beat all three of their opponents in the district tournament by a combined score of 46-0. Their shutout streak stretched to 15 straight games as they last gave up a run during a 3-1 victory over Ridgefield on April 2. Mark Morris has outscored its opponents 217-0 since then.

"It's pretty impressive," Mark Morris coach Chris Mejia said. "On top of the pitching performances, our scoring is off the charts. I'm not one to brag, but when the proof is there and it's in writing, it's hard to deny."

The pitching performance from Henthorn on Friday was indeed impressive as she struck out 17 batters while giving away just two hits in seven innings of work despite dealing with a sore toe.

Mark Morris softball: Makenzie Henthorn

Mark Morris' Makenzie Henthorn throws a pitch during the 2A State Fastpitch Softball Tournament championship game against W.F. West on Friday, May 15, at Recreation Park in Chehalis. Henthorn struck out 17 batters and only gave away two hits during seven innings of work in the circle.

"When you're in a game like this, pain doesn't matter," Mejia said. "Nothing was gonna keep her off this field today."

The team wasn't too shabby at the plate as well, tallying 13 hits in total. The Monarchs were led by freshmen Taylor Lee and Shailia Wild. The former notched four hits with an RBI triple and an RBI double and the latter smashed three RBI doubles. Wild said she has been struggling to hit recently and has turned to her teammates for support.

Mark Morris softball: Shailia Wild

Mark Morris freshman Shailia Wild, left, yells out in excitement following one of her RBI doubles during the 2A State Fastpitch Softball Tournament championship game against W.F. West on Friday, May 15, at Recreation Park in Chehalis. Wild hit three RBI doubles against the Bearcats.

"A big thing for me today was confidence," Wild said. "I felt like I really put that into play with the confidence of my teammates as well. Paisley (Fraidenburg), Megan (Fugleberg), and Kenzie, they have talked me through it this whole time, and I think today, I was able to put it all together and just play for my team."

Lee tore her labrum in November and wasn't sure if she was going to play this season. Not only has she played, but she has made a huge impact as she sits at or near the top of the team in many different hitting categories, and it showed on Friday.

"It means so much being in these moments like this with this team," she said. "It means everything to me. I am extremely grateful to be here."

Mark Morris softball: Taylor Lee

Mark Morris freshman Taylor Lee swings her bat during the 2A State Fastpitch Softball Tournament championship game against W.F. West on Friday, May 15, at Recreation Park in Chehalis. Lee finished the contest with four hits, including a triple and a double, and two RBIs.

Grace Woodbridge hit a 3-run home run that put the Monarchs up 7-0 in the top of the sixth inning. It was the senior's second homer of the season.

"That kind of put the dagger in everything," Mejia said. "I knew she was due."

Paisley Fraidenburg hit a solo home run and also had an RBI triple that put Mark Morris up 1-0 in the third inning. Prior to her home run, she grounded out on a bunt in the fifth.

"I told her, 'She's gonna throw you one, just nuke that sucker. Stop trying to bunt and take the bat out of your hand. You're too good for that,'" Mejia said.

Mikaila Warfield and Shyanne Sellers each had doubles while the former also hit a single.

Next up for Mark Morris (20-1) is the state tournament, which will be held on Friday and Saturday at Carlon Park in Selah. The Monarchs have a good shot at being the No. 1 overall seed in the tournament. However, Mejia has his mind set on one goal: winning it all.

Stay up to date on Lower Columbia news, wherever you go

Access the latest Lower Columbia news in The Daily News app that lets you select the topics that matter most to you.

"Honestly, I don't care what seed we get," Mejia said. "One way or the other, we're going to state, we're gonna make some noise, and we're gonna bring that thing home."

*Editor's note: This article has been updated to reflect the correct information about the district title.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 17, 2026 at 4:27 AM.

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER