State Tournament Preview
The Valley enters the state stage with fourteen baseball and softball teams spread across multiple classifications, each carrying its own narrative of triumph, resilience and promise. From undefeated powerhouses to underdog squads that clawed their way into the brackets, the schedule promises a cascade of dramatic moments over the coming days.
In baseball, the marquee clash pits Class 4A No. 13 Curtis against unbeaten No. 4 West Valley at Yakima County Stadium on Saturday morning. The Rams have compiled a perfect 22‑0 record, highlighted by an early‑season victory over 3A No. 2 Kennewick, while the Vikings rely on the 6‑4 right arm of Cooper Hordyk, who helped upset No. 2 Sumner earlier in the year.
Selah, seeded No. 11 in Class 2A, meets No. 6 Columbia River at Othello High School later that afternoon. A young Vikings roster featuring eight freshmen and sophomores has surged, winning five of its last six games to repeat as District 5 champions, with breakout sophomore Carter Peone delivering a complete‑game effort in the district semifinal.
The 2024 state champion River Rapids, having navigated a rugged District 3 that houses three of the top six seeds, now prepares to defend its title against a field that includes No. 5 W.F. West. Meanwhile, No. 10 Ellensburg will test its mettle against No. 7 Nathan Hale at Tumwater High School, with Bulldogs pitcher Carter Peone’s recent district performance adding intrigue.
Naches Valley, the 1A No. 12 seed, faces No. 5 Elma at Columbia Playfield in Richland after an improbable run that saw the Rangers start 0‑6 before upsetting two top‑three teams to claim the final spot. Their opponent, the Eagles, finished as district runners‑up to powerhouse Montesano, setting the stage for an elimination showdown.
Zillah, seeded No. 7, will meet No. 10 Overlake/Bear Creek at Wenatchee High School, with the Growls’ mash‑up mascot and Army commit Brenden Winkler looming as a key factor. Across the 2B bracket, Okanogan takes on No. 2 Kittitas at Parker Faller Field, where two‑way star Eli Nash anchors a Coyotes squad that has already tasted victory over top seeds Liberty Bell and River View.
Sunnyside Christian, the 1B No. 2 seed, opens its campaign at Naselle High School against Naselle, with senior Carson Van De Graaf having struck out eight in a recent win that propelled the Knights into the quarterfinal picture. The Comets, defending champions in 2022 and 2023, enter as heavy favorites despite a modest 14‑6‑1 record.
Switching to softball, West Valley (No. 14) meets No. 3 Issaquah at Columbia Playfield on Friday morning, with ace Ainsley Johnson leading a Rams staff that also boasts a potent home‑run threat from Giorgia Graham. The Rams’ recent surge, fueled by a hefty home run total in a Saturday win over Moses Lake, positions them as a dark horse in the 4A field.
Archbishop Murphy, seeded No. 11 in Class 2A, will square off against No. 6 East Valley at Carlon Park in Selah. The Red Devils, who split the CWAC crown with Selah and saw Presley Weatherley shut down the Vikings in the district title game, hope to break a four‑game state losing streak with Weatherley and co‑captain Avery Brewer leading the charge.
The Wildcats, who ended a near‑two‑decade drought last year and secured a second straight bid with a crossover win over Ellensburg, are slated to face Ridgefield at Carlon Park. Michigan‑bound Avery Brewer and sophomore Aspin Grubenhoff provide the power surge that could tip the balance in their favor.
Naches Valley’s softball team, seeded No. 12, will meet No. 5 Elma later in the week after a dramatic turnaround from a 0‑6 start to a district upset that earned them the final spot. Their opponent, the Eagles, finished as district runners‑up to Montesano, promising a high‑stakes elimination clash.
Cle Elum, the No. 10 seed in Class 2B, takes on Pe Ell/Willapa Valley at Gateway Sports Complex, riding a 18‑run victory over No. 15 Brewster and a 13‑run win over Lake Roosevelt that secured third place in District 5. The Warriors, quarterfinalists in each of the past three seasons, will look to extend their run against a Kittitas squad that has scored double‑digit runs in fifteen of nineteen games.
Kittitas, seeded No. 9, faces Coupeville at the same venue, with Leah Weekes providing both pop in the lineup and experience on the mound for a Coyotes team familiar with the state softball grind. Their opponent, the Wolves, have posted double‑digit runs in fifteen of nineteen games, setting up a potent offensive showdown.
Sunnyside Christian’s softball side awaits the winner of the No. 10 Quilcene versus No. 7 Naselle matchup in the quarterfinal round, having opened the season with wins over Kittitas and a split against reigning 1B champions DeSales before falling to the Patriots in the district finale.