Diamonds in the fields of dreams: The News Tribune’s 2022 All-Area softball team
First- and second-team selections for The News Tribune’s 2022 All-Area softball team.
Player of the year
Sarah Wright, Kentwood, soph. — What a year for the star sophomore, who just recently earned Gatorade state player of the year honors. Wright was nearly unhittable on the mound, posting an 18-1 record with a 0.33 earned run average and a whopping 330 strikeouts in 128 innings pitched. She threw eight no-hitters, including one in the 4A District 3/4 championship game against Skyview. At the plate, Wright hit .486 with six doubles, a triple and six home runs.
Coach of the year
Ashley Andrews, Tumwater — Few would have picked the No. 6 seeded T-Birds to hoist the state championship trophy in Selah in late May, but that’s exactly what Tumwater did. In the 2A state tournament, Tumwater collected wins over No. 11 North Kitsap, No. 3 Lynden and league rival W.F. West, the tournament’s No. 2 seed. Tumwater capped off the run with a win over top-seeded Othello in the state championship game, 13-3.
FIRST TEAM
Pitchers
Bella Carazo, Bonney Lake, jr. — The MVP of the 3A PCL had impeccable command in the circle for the Panthers, posting a 21-4 record with a 1.70 earned run average and 232 strikeouts. Held 4A state contenders Skyline and Kentwood to a combined three runs in two games and helped lead Bonney Lake to a fourth-place finish in the 3A state tournament. At the plate, hit .416 with 27 RBI.
Ella Ferguson, Tumwater, fr. — Posted an 18-2 record and 1.30 ERA in 128 innings pitched. She struck out 184 opposing hitters, dominating the 2A EvCo and beating some of the state’s top-ranked teams in the state tournament, leading Tumwater to the 2A state championship.
Alli Kimball, Peninsula, jr. — The ace of Peninsula’s staff was one of the state’s top pitchers this spring, throwing multiple no-hitters and at one point, back-to-back perfect games. Over 112 1/3 innings pitched, she posted a 0.75 ERA with 230 strikeouts and just 12 walks, giving up just 35 hits on the season. At the plate, hit .520 with six home runs, 29 RBI and 39 runs scored.
Justyce Porter, Thomas Jefferson, sr. — The 3A NPSL pitcher of the year posted a 1.65 earned run average for the Raiders, striking out 119 batters in 63.2 innings pitched. Had a big season at the plate, too, hitting .585 with five doubles, two triples, three home runs and driving in 17 runs.
Sami Potvin, Olympia, soph. — 4A SPSL pitcher of the year posted a 12-4 record and a 2.10 earned run average, striking out 193 batters over 110 innings. At the plate, she hit .361 with five home runs and 32 RBI, also scoring 20 runs.
Catcher
Alison Harris, Graham-Kapowsin, sr. — Caught, played shortstop and third base for the Eagles, hitting .512 with nine doubles, three triples, three home runs and 29 RBI this spring. Graham-Kapowsin coach Jamie Thomas calls her a “great leader and teammate.”
Infield
Audrey Allen, Gig Harbor, sr. — Earned MVP honors in the 3A SSC after smashing the softball all spring. She hit .552 and hit for power, racking up 11 home runs, three triples and 10 doubles for the Tides.
Ashlyn Aven, Yelm, sr. — First-team 3A SSC selection was the most dangerous hitter in the Tornados’ lineup, hitting .424 with 10 doubles, four triples and 14 home runs, leading Yelm to the 3A state tournament.
Kaiea Higa, Tahoma, sr. — One of the area’s top hitters over the course of her high school career, the first-team 4A NPSL selection hit the cover off the ball in her senior season, batting .643 with eight doubles, two triples and three home runs, all of which came in the 4A bidistrict tournament. Oregon State signee.
Kyra Smith, Puyallup, soph. — First-team 4A SPSL selection was lights out at third base for the Vikings and powerful at the plate. She hit .544 with 10 doubles, three triples, 12 home runs and 44 RBI.
Aly Waltermeyer, Tumwater, sr. — Shortstop led Tumwater to the 2A state title this spring, hitting .549 with 14 doubles, three home runs, 32 runs scored and 21 RBI. She was the tone-setter for the T-Birds in the leadoff spot and a rangy, athletic infielder at the shortstop position. University of the Pacific commit.
Outfield
Kyla Cross, Bonney Lake, jr. — Center fielder hit .457 with 13 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 43 RBI and 43 runs scored. Two-time first-team 3A PCL selection in the outfield, where her range, speed and cannon of an arm made her one of the area’s best. Led the team in home runs and RBI.
Hailey Rath, Eatonville, sr. — The small-school slugger was one of the top hitters in the state, regardless of classification. She hit .612 this spring with a state-leading 24 home runs. She had 65 RBI, 65 runs scored and was intentionally walked 19 times. Could play any position for Eatonville but was utilized most in center field, where her speed and rocket arm made life difficult for base runners. Western Washington commit.
Raquel Reising, Auburn Riverside, sr. — The catalyst for Auburn Riverside, which finished fifth in the 3A state tournament. The two-time 3A NPSL MVP hit .550 with 10 home runs, 11 doubles, five triples, 48 RBI and 48 runs scored. On the mound, posted a 15-5 record, including a 4-1 record in the state tournament. Central Washington commit.
Designated hitter
Riley Peschek, Gig Harbor, jr. — Tides’ shortstop was a hit machine for Gig Harbor this spring, batting .623 with nine doubles, six triples, eight home runs and 35 RBI.
Utility
Ella Lidstrom, White River, jr. — Hornets’ shortstop was the MVP of the 2A SPSL after batting .616 with seven home runs, five triples, 12 doubles and driving in 41 runs. A tough out at the plate, but her defense separated her, taking hits away from opponents and making difficult plays look routine.
Gracie Ream, Puyallup, fr. — Not many high school freshmen come in and make the immediate impact Ream made for the Vikings. Fewer still earn league MVP honors, which Ream did in the 4A SPSL this spring. Pitched and played shortstop for Puyallup, posting a 2.64 earned run average and an 8-3 record with 130 strikeouts in 69 innings pitched. At the plate, hit .527 with 10 doubles, 13 home runs and 44 RBI.
SECOND TEAM
Pitchers: Jasmyn Polanco, Timberline, soph.; Jesse Hendrickx, Lakes; Emi Crimmins, Enumclaw, jr.; Zoey Theophilus, Black Hills, jr.
Catchers: Brooke Blocker, Eatonville, jr.; Chloe Ream, Puyallup, fr.
Infield: Malia Coit, Peninsula, soph.; Brooke Jett, South Kitsap, jr.; Bailee Brader, Auburn Riverside, soph.; Samantha Bland, Puyallup, sr.; Taylor Minton, Auburn Mountainview, jr.; Leila Kennach, Franklin Pierce, fr.; Shelby Lawson, Kennedy Catholic, sr.; Joy Wilde, Lincoln, fr.
Outfield: Kayla Autry, Decatur, sr.; Paytience Kamuta, Lincoln, jr.; Brookelyn Jewett, Enumclaw, sr.
Utility: Mya Michel, Kentridge, jr.; Madison Walls, Fife, soph.; Riley McGee, Sumner, soph.; Savanna Sigette, Lincoln, jr.
This story was originally published June 12, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
