High school softball 2026 season preview: Tahoma Bears
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 Tahoma Bears 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.
TAHOMA BEARS
Head coach: Alicia Thompson, 1st season
2025 results: 21-4, Class 4A state tournament first round
OUTLOOK
When Alicia Thompson was hired as an educator at Tahoma High School last year, standout pitcher Alexa Ramirez made sure to find her in the hallways. The Bears needed a new head softball coach, and Ramirez knew her former U12 coach was the perfect choice for the job.
“I made it a point to come talk to her,” Ramirez told The News Tribune.
Thompson, the former head coach at Auburn Mountainview, was on the fence. Was this the right time to return to the dugout?
She certainly isn’t second-guessing herself anymore.
“Now that I’m in it and get to be a part of this… These girls, from day one, impressed me with their teamwork and work ethic,” Thompson said. “They’re hungry, for sure.”
A year after she first arrived in Maple Valley, Thompson assumes a Bears roster oozing with top-to-bottom lineup depth and a workhorse pitcher in the circle. In 2024, a freshman Ramirez broke the school’s single-season strikeout record and shattered her own mark as a sophomore (167 K) — all while slashing .500/.548/.796 with 24 RBI at the plate last spring.
“I don’t want to be just a pitcher or a pitcher who can hit. I want to be a pitcher who hits,” Ramirez said.
She forms one of the area’s best batteries with senior catcher Kalani Higa, a Cal Poly commit and two-time TNT All-Area selection. Both consider it a full-circle moment, now seven years since their sisters played together at Tahoma in 2019.
“I already knew (Kalani’s) family from when I was very young,” Ramirez said. “We already had a relationship, but as a pitcher-catcher, she works with me really well. She knows my pitches, and I asked her to be honest if things aren’t working. She can be a little too honest sometimes, but I really appreciate that.
“We’re able to joke together, and we don’t take it personally.”
For Ramirez and Higa, there is no offseason.
“I’ll catch her even during the summer, just to keep up with understanding how her pitches are moving and understanding her progress,” Higa said.
Tahoma’s backstop has a front-row seat each time Ramirez delivers strikeout after strikeout. Higa said the energy is contagious.
“It’s really just electric,” she said. “It’s very much a mental game, and my favorite part is being able to help (pitchers) with their emotions while they’re in the circle. I can kind of ease their mind a little bit.
“Just feeling that energy… it flows through the entire field.”
Tahoma features reigning 4A NPSL MVP Mia Hammington in center field, her preferred club softball position after playing right field for the Bears last spring. Thompson dubbed the senior a “rare triple threat” with a blend of power, speed, and a strong arm. It’s for good reason: Hammington (.642 AVG) hit more doubles than singles as a junior, going 19-for-19 on stolen-base attempts with nine home runs.
She’s caught plenty of opponents sleeping.
“I try to think about the count that the batter’s in to assess what pitch they’re gonna get,” Hammington said. “(I’ll go) if it’s a good pitch to steal on. I watch the catcher on a bobble or a drop ball because it’ll take them a second to grab it.
“I try to look for little mistakes to capitalize on.”
Sophomore 1B/C Kelsey Jones will split time with Higa behind the dish. Junior OF/P Sienna Shultz relieves Ramirez when needed, but expect plenty of innings for the latter.
Tahoma fell in the opening round of last year’s 4A state tournament. This time around, they’re on track to become one of the bracket’s heavyweights, should they get back.
“We know the competition is very tough for 4A,” Hammington said, “but we have a lot of talent coming in that will help us throughout the lineup.”
Added Ramirez: “When we go to practice, we’re having fun, we’re goofing off. But when it’s time to work hard, we do work hard for that one goal.”
KEY PLAYERS
OF Mia Hammington
P Alexa Ramirez
C/INF Kalani Higa
SAVE THE DATE
March 31: at Auburn Riverside, 7 p.m.
April 16: at Stadium, 6:30 p.m.
May 9: at Skyview, 1 p.m.
