High school softball 2026 season preview: Peninsula Seahawks
The high school softball season is underway in Washington, and The News Tribune has been making stops across the South Sound, visiting local programs at practices as games begin. Up next, we’re previewing a handful of teams individually as they begin league play.
Here’s how things are shaping up for the Peninsula Seahawks this spring.
Editor’s note: The “outlook” section for each program is pulled from the TNT’s practice tour. Find the full practice tour story here, complete with insight on several teams in the area, quotes, photos, videos and more.
PENINSULA SEAHAWKS
Head coach: Mike Paul, 8th season
2025 results: 18-11, Class 3A state tournament first round
OUTLOOK
Mike Paul guided the Seahawks to the 3A state title in 2023, but pound-for-pound? This might be his best group yet.
“This is the best group of kids, as a total, that I’ve ever had,” Peninsula’s head coach told The News Tribune. “Bar none. Not close. We don’t have (2023 All-Area Player of the Year Alli Kimball), but man, I’m 12 deep of kids that would’ve started for my state team. It’s super fun. Really excited.”
Expect plenty of runs and a stingy defense in Purdy, where Paul has the pieces to contend in the Puget Sound League and beyond.
He won’t have to worry about turnout: Peninsula welcomed 15 freshmen to the program this spring and boasted four catchers at Monday’s practice. The Seahawks return four upperclassmen, including senior Meghan Webster and two-way junior Vivien Sweet.
“I have very high expectations,” Sweet said Monday. “We all just hold ourselves to a really high standard, so we’re all hoping to meet that standard this year.”
Sweet went 11-7 with a 4.46 ERA, slashing .436/.567/.692 with 28 RBI last season. Paul deemed Webster “the glue of the team,” featured at pitcher (4.12 ERA), infielder, and outfielder in 2025.
Paul’s particularly bullish on sophomore infielders Paige Jones (.474 AVG) and Izzy Michaels (.462 AVG), both with 37+ hits and 28+ RBI throughout promising freshman debuts.
“I expect both of them to compete for MVP of the league,” their coach said. “We fail as coaches if they’re not in that spot, because they’re that good.”
Freshman arms Abby Hoyt and Newby Wagner are competing for starting roles. So are freshman catchers Maddison McCasland, Kamea Salazar, and Olivia Strilcov.
If the pitching comes together? Watch out.
“I’m hoping to place at state this year,” Sweet said, “and hopefully go home with some hardware.”
TNT sports reporter Jon Manley contributed to this story.
KEY PLAYERS
P/OF Vivien Sweet
INF Paige Jones
INF Izzy Michaels
SAVE THE DATE
April 7: vs. Gig Harbor, 3:30 p.m.
April 10: vs. Timberline, 3:30 p.m.
May 1: at Bellarmine Prep, 4 p.m.
