‘She guides us’ — Alli Kimball is The News Tribune’s All-Area softball Player of the Year

As actively as Alli Kimball chased her goals during her senior softball season at Peninsula High, the Seahawks pitcher may have conquered her biggest obstacle – waiting patiently – before the first day of tryouts ever began.

“It was so mentally challenging for me,” said Kimball, the News Tribune’s 2023 All-Area softball Player of the Year. “I think, I’ve been so active all my life, that sitting around is so much worse on my body.”

Yet that is exactly what Kimball was forced to do following a November car accident that left her with whiplash in her neck above her shoulder.

Throughout the winter and into early spring she focused on one thing – rehab to heal in time to start the high school softball season in early March.

Thus, the waiting game began. So did the work – to get healthy and chase the goal that so far had eluded Kimball and the Seahawks during her first three years: a coveted state title for the program.

Then there were the expectant looks and conversations with the physical therapist as the season neared. The therapist was a boundary, with the power in a word, who needed to clear Kimball physically before she could come back.

Finally, just two weeks before practice began, she got the okay to start throwing a softball overhand.

“When I got the okay, I just remember the pain seemed to be going away,” Kimball said. “There were so many pep talks during the process, and I was always in tears. It was just such an emotionally draining time.”

Given a new life, Kimball took advantage in leading Peninsula not only to the program’s first-ever state trophy finish but all the way to the top of the mountain. She gave up just one run in a 4-1 championship game victory over Snohomish. The Seahawks were the first 3A team to beat the Panthers all season.

“She’s got a lot of command,” Snohomish coach Patti Lande said. “She’s got a really great rise ball and also a change-up. And she’s got really good speed. You add all those together and you have to be on your a-game. Great kid, great player. I’m happy for her. Just wish it hadn’t been against us.”

The good news for Lande and the rest of the 3A ranks: Kimball is now finally done with the high school ranks. Next year she’ll be in Bellingham pitching for Western Washington University.

Kimball takes 44 career victories over three high school seasons with her. She takes a 1.07 senior season ERA, 250 strikeouts and a 20-2 record as a senior to the Vikings.

“She guides us,” Peninsula coach Mike Paul said of his senior flame-thrower. “When we scored those runs in the sixth, she went to a whole other level. She went from tired to, ‘you’re not beating me.’”

Kimball, and even her teammates, knew that none of this season’s accomplishments was a given. But they also believed that even if Kimball had not been able to pitch, she would find a way to contribute.

“She started out as a normal human being,” Paul said. “They all believed she would be alright. But if she hadn’t been able to pitch, she even said it would be alright. She would hit. They’d do it without her (on the mound).”

While that absence from the circle never materialized, Kimball did hit as well. Her three-run home run – the fifth of the season – in the top of the sixth proved the difference in the championship game. Over the season, Kimball batted .552 as she made 108 plate appearances and got 48 hits in 87 official at-bats (outside of walks and being hit by pitches).

On the mound, Kimball had a couple of early-season wobbles.

“She got lit up by Gig Harbor,” Paul said. “Had to pull her from the game. First time ever she’s gotten beat up. But from that point on, she just got better and better.”

For Kimball, it came down to that ultimate goal for her last go-round at Peninsula.

“I realized, I want to make history at Peninsula,” Kimball said. “Softball has never placed at state. It’s been such a year. Back in November I got into a car wreck and didn’t even know if I’d be able to pick up a ball for this season. To be able to come out and pitch for a state championship is just something I never thought would happen. I am glad for the opportunity.”

This story was originally published June 13, 2023 at 5:00 AM.