Softballs beware: These South Sound sluggers are making noise in 2025
There’s no shortage of softball sluggers in the South Sound — so who’s emerging as the most-feared hitter? Who’s the toughest out?
With softball season in full swing, The News Tribune breaks down some of the area’s early standouts. Note: Stats are updated through April 7.
NEVAEH HAAGEN
Timberline, soph. — pitcher, infielder
.760 AVG, .793 OBP, 1.520 SLG, 26 RBI, 3 HR, 2 K in 29 plate appearances.
3-0 record, 5.49 ERA, 10 BB, 37 strikeouts in 21 ⅔ innings pitched.
Timberline’s emerging sophomore plated a season-high seven runs in the season opener last month and hasn’t looked back. Haagen has 2-plus hits in all six games this season and leads the 3A Puget Sound League with 26 RBI. Line-drive power hitter has flashed improved timing at the plate and speed on the bases. “She hits the ball where she needs to,” Blazers head coach Lynsi Polanco said. “One of the smartest base runners I’ve had. She puts the ball in play and uses those smarts to get extra bases when she can.” Blazers are 6-0.
LEILA KENNACH
Franklin Pierce, sr. — infielder, pitcher
.692 AVG, .778 OBP, 1.308 SLG, 2 HR, 13 RBI, 1 K in 18 plate appearances.
2-0 record, 2.33 ERA, 6 H, 6 BB, 16 K in 12 innings pitched.
This corner infielder has “pure power,” head coach Nicole Hadley says — but don’t sleep on Kennach in the circle. Franklin Pierce’s primary slugger threw a complete game (4 ER, 5 K) in a 6-5 win over Orting on March 25, then turned in a five-inning no-hitter vs. Steilacoom last Wednesday. Kennach joins Kylie Sledge atop the Cardinals lineup, forming one of the area’s best 1-2 punches. “Her strength, how she can hit the ball as far as she can and then drive runners in, has been phenomenal so far this year,” Hadley said. Cardinals remain undefeated (5-0) in their quest for repeat 2A SPSL titles.
LONDON KIM
Stadium, jr. — catcher
.609 AVG, .654 OBP, 1.609 SLG, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 0 K in 26 plate appearances.
They moved up to the 4A ranks last summer, but Stadium still has a foundational piece in Kim, a trusted backstop and extra-base hit machine. Kim boasts more home runs (4) and triples (3) than singles (2), a true slugger without a strikeout seven games in. “We’ve faced some better pitching, and she just hits everybody consistently,” Tigers head coach Ed Wells said. “It’s just because of her approach. She’s a little more selective and really does damage on the pitches that she’s waiting for.” Behind the plate, Kim calls her own game with the pitching staff and splits time in left field. “She’s just maturing,” Wells said. “I think that’s the biggest thing.”
KYLAR NAVARRO
Enumclaw, sr. — first base
.778 AVG, .826 OBP, 1.000 SLG, 15 RBI, 2 HR, 2 BB, 0 K in 23 plate appearances.
Enumclaw’s run creator has more RBI (15) than hits (14) this season with an even 1.000 slugging percentage early on — and Navarro hasn’t struck out in 23 plate appearances. Hard-hit machine has six multi-hit performances in seven games, one of the 3A NPSL’s most disciplined and confident batters. “As a coach, it is amazing to have someone so confident in what kind of hitter they are and being the grittiest out,” Hornets head coach Quinn Haney said. “I love it, and I am so excited for her to only get better as the season goes on.” Hornets are 5-0 in a new-look 3A NPSL.
KILEY SLEDGE
Franklin Pierce, soph. — shortstop, utility
.727 AVG, .785 OBP, 1.545 SLG, 2 HR, 0 K in 16 plate appearances.
In hindsight, it’s better to walk Sledge more times than not. Cardinals head coach Nicole Hadley hasn’t seen a better set of eyes at the plate, and Franklin Pierce’s nifty shortstop can play just about anywhere — pitcher, catcher, infield, outfield, you name it. Sledge took the 2A SPSL by storm as a freshman in 2024 and hasn’t skipped a beat in ‘25. “I can’t say enough about Sledge,” Hadley said. “She’s one of the most humble, quiet leaders on my team, but she leads by example. It’s huge for our underclassmen to see that from just a sophomore. We consider Sledge one of those upperclassmen leaders, even though she’s only a sophomore.”
JOY WILDE
Lincoln, sr. – catcher, shortstop, pitcher
.833 AVG, .870 OBP, 1.778 SLG, 16 RBI, 3 HR, 0 K in 23 plate appearances.
What can’t Wilde do? The South Sound’s early leader in batting average (.833) makes highlight-reel plays at shortstop look routine, anchors the defense at catcher and remains one of Tacoma’s premier hitters. “I told my entire dugout, (Joy) is how you approach the plate,” Abes head coach Haylie Tulupan told The News Tribune last spring. “With the confidence and the trust in your skill and your preparation to do what needs to be done.” Wilde is slugging a video game-esque 1.778 and hit for the cycle in a runaway win over Foss last Thursday.
MORE MIDSEASON STANDOUTS
INF Ava Day, Central Kitsap, sr.
.545 AVG, .706 OBP, 1.636 SLG, 14 RBI, 7 HR, 2 K in 34 plate appearances.
OF Mia Hammington, Tahoma, jr.
.533 AVG, .562 OBP, 1.333 SLG, 13 RBI, 6 HR, 2 K in 32 plate appearances.
C Mia Heigh, Auburn Mountainview, sr.
.690 AVG, .714 OBP, 1.034 SLG, 22 RBI, 1 HR, 2 K in 35 plate appearances.
P/INF Sierra Murray, Rogers, fr.
.545 AVG, .593 OBP, .727 SLG, 8 RBI, 1 HR, 2 K in 27 plate appearances.
7-0 record, 1.98 ERA, 22 H, 12 ER, 29 BB, 73 K in 42 ⅓ innings pitched.
C/INF Hannah Potter, Auburn Riverside, jr.
.586 AVG, .684 OBP, 1.483 SLG, 20 RBI, 7 HR, 3 K in 38 plate appearances.
1B/OF Abygale Redwine, Emerald Ridge, sr.
.643 AVG, .677 OBP, 1.179 SLG, 22 RBI, 2 HR, 0 K in 31 plate appearances.
INF Tessa Trippy, Auburn Mountainview, fr.
.656 AVG, .703 OBP, 1.188 SLG, 16 RBI, 3 HR, 1 K in 37 plate appearances.
This story was originally published April 9, 2025 at 5:15 AM.
