Luke Roth (Mid-Major Media) special to BlastZoneMedia.com

OSAA Softball — Baseball / Roundup

EUGENE, OR – In another edition of the South Side 7-Mile War, St. Helens and Scappoose met at Jane Sanders Stadium on the campus of the University of Oregon, with an OSAA softball championship on the line.

This time, it was the Lions who came out on top of the rivalry with all the marbles on the line.

St. Helens defeated Scappoose 5-3 in the Class 4A state championship game Saturday, capturing the program’s first state title since 1996 and closing its 4A chapter in storybook fashion before moving back up to 5A next season.

For St. Helens (23-6), the win also served as redemption.

After falling to Astoria in last year’s 4A State Championship game, the Lions put those demons behind them and delivered on the biggest stage.

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Skyler Smith for blastzonemedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

OSAA Prep Softball / State Report

CLATSKANIE – The Clatskanie softball team erased two deficits Friday afternoon and saved its best answer for last, as Joey Sizemore’s walk-off RBI infield single in the bottom of the seventh inning secured a 5-4 victory over North Clackamas-Country Christian in the OSAA 2A state quarterfinals in front of one of the largest crowds to watch a Clatskanie softball game in recent memory.

It was the second straight postseason game in which the Tigers celebrated a walk-off winner on their home field. Just 48 hours after Kaden Byrum delivered a two-run walk-off home run to eliminate No. 9 ranked Monroe-Alsea in the opening round of the state tournament, Clatskanie once again found a way to survive and advance.

“We’ve been preparing for this all year,” Clatskanie head coach Teauna Hughes said. “We try and do pressure situations during practices, but I’m more on the mentality side of the game. We just really try to perfect the little things.”

That mentality was tested more than once Friday evening, and each time the hometown Tigers found an answer.

“When stuff happens, there’s nothing you can do about it,” Sizemore said. “All I can think about is next pitch. Just moving on because you can’t do anything about the last one.”

The dramatic finish was familiar territory for a Tigers team that has made a habit of responding under pressure during its postseason run.

The win sends the Tigers into the OSAA 2A state semifinals, where they will travel to play No. 4 Heppner/Ione on Tuesday.

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By Josh Kirshenbaum special to BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

Prep Baseball / State Title History

By far the most successful sport for both The Blast Zone at large, and Cowlitz County in particular, area softball teams have combined to win 24 state titles since 1996.

Mark Morris was the most recent team to hoist the gold trophy after a thrilling postseason run ended with a walk-off grand slam over W.F. West to cap the 2026 spring season. Meanwhile, Naselle also reached its first State title game, but could not seal the deal against Liberty Christian.

Keep reading to learn about every local team that has played for an official State title.

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Luke Roth (Mid-Major Media) special to BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

OSAA Softball / Roundup

Columbians cut out by OSAA seeding committee

RAINIER – The Rainier softball team did nearly everything it could to keep its postseason hopes alive last week.

The Columbians went 2-1 over their final three games, including an upset win over No. 10 Valley Catholic, but the late push was not quite enough to earn an at-large bid into the state playoffs, finishing two spots outside the final bracket.

Rainier opened the week Tuesday with a 13-6 road win over the Portland Adventist Academy (3-15).

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Jordan Nailon for BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

3A WIAA Softball / State Report

LACEY – The Kelso softball team was able to snap a seven year dry spell but still wound up eliminated on Day 1 of the 3A State Tournament, Friday, at The RAC.

“We knew going in that everyone there was going to be good,” Kelso head coach Dean Sorensen said. “Don’t worry about the number in front of their name, seed wise… anybody can beat anybody.”

That notion proved true when the No. 11 Lassies picked up their first state victory since 2018 with a 6-1 decision over No. 3 ranked Peninsula on the dark side of the bracket, but that win was bookended by a pair of tight losses that spelled the end of their season. Kelso let an early lead slip away in their opener before falling 5-3 to No. 6 Stanwood in the morning, eliminated Peninsula for lunch, then lost 6-3 to No. 8 Inglemoor in the evening affair.

“The kids actually played pretty well,” Sorensen added. “That first game we had a 3-0 lead and we felt pretty good, but give Stanwood credit, they kept chipping back.”

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Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

2B WIAA Softball / State Report

YAKIMA — The Toledo softball team isn’t satisfied. They’re not malcontents but they’re not, well, content.

After placing third at the state tournament last season, and winning the 2B District IV championship last week in an upset of (then) No. 1 ranked Napavine, the Riverhawks possessed the zeal of Yukon Cornelius as they set endeavored to bring home silver (or) gold from Yakima.

“I think that’s kind of the goal — to be on the other field playing in the other game,” Toledo junior Peyton Holter said. “But I’m still proud of how we got here and that we got to bring home something.”

The Riverhawks won both of their games on Friday to reach the semifinals for a rematch of the District semifinals with Adna. But after Toledo fell 11-2 in a clunker against its Central 2B League foes it was gut-check time – and the Cheese Town gang had one more good fight left in them.

Toledo rebounded to defeat Napavine (again) in a rematch of the District title tilt, this time by a score of 12-10, before falling to No. 5 Liberty 19-7 to finish fourth in the 2B State Tournament.

It was clearly not the finish the Riverhawks had planned, but their skipper did his best to keep things in perspective after the final out.

“There are a lot of teams in this state that would have traded places with us for an opportunity to get a third-place trophy today,” Toledo head coach Jeff Davis said.

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Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

1B WIAA Softball / Championship Report

YAKIMA – The Naselle softball team settled for a second place finish at the 1B State Tournament on Saturday, but that result was a victory in and of itself. The No. 7 ranked Comets sent a message to the seeding committee over the course of three days at the Yakima Gateway Complex, notching upsets and taking names against the toughest competition in all the land.

That message? Pacific County is not to be trifled with on the softball diamond.

After reeling in victories over No. 10 Quilcene and No. 2 Sunnyside Christian (extra innings!) to open the tournament, the Comets opened Saturday with a win over No. 6 Colton.

Yes, it was the first Naselle softball has reached the title tilt. In fact, the Comets were the first team from District IV to reach the 1B Championship game since the classification’s inception in 2006.

And sure, the Comets went on to fall 7-4 against No. 1 ranked Liberty Christian in the championship game, falling just a few innings short of a fairy tale finish. But after winning another league title, another District title, and their first three games of the state tournament the Naselle nine (plus a few more) managed to turn plenty of heads this season.

“Nobody really thought we were going to come this far,” Naselle head coach Bekah Wirkkala said. “We believed in each other when nobody else believed in us.”

Last season Wirkkala was watching her team compete at State from home while taking a leave of absence with a newborn baby. This spring it was all hands on deck for a team that knew it was loaded with talent.

“We just kept pushing through, even in the highs and lows,” Naselle sophomore ace Avrey Ford said. “We all believed that we could get here.”

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Skyler Smith for BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

2A Softball / State Championship Report

SELAH – The Mark Morris softball team is the proud new owner of a State championship for the first time in program history, and they got there in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.

Shyanne Sellers launched a walk-off grand slam deep into center field in the bottom of the seventh inning Saturday afternoon at Carlon Park in Selah, lifting Mark Morris to a wild 9-5 victory over W.F. West in the 2A state championship game in front of packed stands, shoulder-to-shoulder onlookers along the fences and a roaring crowd all around.

In the aftermath it’s easy to forget the No. 2 ranked Bearcats led 4-0 in the fourth inning, and still held a 5-2 advantage after five frames.

But after W.F. West landed all of its punches, Mark Morris answered with a flurry of its own — and an upper cut to finish it — n a championship showdown that felt more like a heavyweight prize fight than a high school softball game.

Three straight home runs for W.F. West? So what? The Monarchs’ habitually dangerous offense responded.

Another solo blast by the Bearcats in the fifth inning? Mark Morris answered again.

And when the biggest moment arrived with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning, Sellers delivered the knockout blow. There was no doubt about it.

“It means a lot for me to be able to come through for my team and to be that for my team,” Sellers said. “But seeing the girls’ faces when I came around third and the celebration, there’s nothing really like it.”

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Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

2A WIAA Softball / Breaking News

SELAH — The Mark Morris girls softball team claimed the 2A State championship in dramatic fashion, Saturday, with a 9-5 come-from-behind victory over No. 2 ranked W.F. West at Carlon Park.

The cinematic win gave Mark Morris its fist state title in program history.

The Monarchs trailed 4-0 midway through the contest but battled back to tie the game entering the seventh inning. Makenzie Henthorn spun a scoreless top half of the frame to set up the historic finish.

The first three MM batters reached base to open the bottom of the seventh before Shyanne Sellers launched a walk-off grand slam.

With the victory Mark Morris became the third BZM area softball team to secures a State title in walk-off fashion (Kelso, 2010 and Castle Rock, 2007). But the Monarchs, and Sellers, are the only local champions do walk it off with a home run on the biggest stage.

Mark Morris took down No. 5 ranked Lynden 6-2 in the semifinals.

Longview’s previous appearance in a State softball game came in 1996 when the R.A. Long Lumberjills defeated W.F. West 1-0 in extra innings. The Monarchs were making their first-ever appearance in the State title tilt on Saturday.

Mark Morris finished the season with a record of 24-1. The Monarchs also captured an undefeated 2A GSHL title, and down W.F. West by mercy rule in the 2A District IV championship game for Longview’s first District crown this century.

Additional coverage, including postgame interviews, photos gallery and video highlights to follow.

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In Case You Missed It

2B WIAA Softball / State Report

YAKIMA — After winning its first District title in two decades, the Toledo softball team came to The Palm Springs of Washington as the hottest team in all the land and went to bed Friday night looking destined for a spot in the 2B State Tournament championship tilt.

The No. 2 Riverhawks defeated No. 15 Brewster 10-0 on Friday morning and then turned in a 6-4 win over No. 7 Pe Ell-Willapa Valley in the afternoon. That left Toledo just one win away from the title tilt before falling to Adna by a score of 11-2 on Saturday morning in the semifinals.

Last Friday it was Toledo that prevailed in a District semifinal matchup with the Pirates of Highway 6, but the tables wound up turned on the other side of the mountains.

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Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

1B WIAA Softball / State Report

YAKIMA — The Comets rolled into the 1B State Softball Tournament carrying a heap of confidence to go with their assorted team baggage and have proved their mettle at every turn.

After winning a league title and a District title and looking good along the way, Naselle was slotted No. 7 to the state tournament by the WIAA seeding committee. In retrospect it was, if not a slight, at least an egregious oversight by the powers that be.

“I don’t get the RPI,” Naselle head coach Bekah Wirkkala said following seeing the state bracket for the first time. “Obviously the east side is good, but I just don’t know if there’s a good way to compare our teams before we actually play each other.”

The comparisons can now be made. Naselle opened up the tournament with a 12-1 win over No. 10 Quilcene on Thursday at the Gateway Sports Complex, and followed up with a 7-6 victory over No. 2 ranked Sunnyside Christian in extra innings on Friday.

The Comets are now slated to play for a state championship after downing No. 6 ranked Colton by a score of 11-8 on Saturday morning.

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Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

2A WIAA Softball / State Report

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to reflect the Monarchs’ 6-2 win over Lynden to earn a spot in the 2A State title game this afternoon. Look for full coverage of the semifinals and title tilt on BlastZoneMedia.com.

SELAH — The Mark Morris softball team saw its string of 14 consecutive shutouts snapped on the opening day of the 2A State Tournament in Selah, but that was the extent of the bad news as the Monarchs ran away with a pair of victories to advance in the bracket and keep their championship hopes alive.

The Monarchs defeated Nathan Hale 12-0 in five innings in their opener at Carlon Park, then turned around and whacked Burlington-Edison 11-1 in five innings to reach the semifinals.

Five players hit home runs for MM on the day, including a pair of big flies by Mikaila Warfield in the quarterfinals.

Mark Morris backed those wins up with a 6-2 victory over Lynden to earn a spot in the 2A State title game.

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Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

WIAA Softball / Roundup

The 1B Reports

Comets mercy rule Quilcene in State opener

Naselle got off to a hot start in the 1B State Tournament on Thursday by posting a 12-1 win over No 10 Quilcene in just five innings of play at the Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima.

That victory moved the No.7 ranked Comets into the quarterfinal round and guaranteed them a spot in the bracket on Saturday. Last week Naselle repeated as District champions.

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Luke Roth (Mid-Major Media) special to BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

OSAA Softball / Roundup

Tigers go hunting for competition; find it

The Clatskanie softball team earned a strong split against No. 8 Pilot Rock / Nixyaawii on Friday, winning the ace-on-ace matchup in Game 1 before dropping the second game of the non-league doubleheader.

The Tigers continued their search for a strong opponents from outside their regular wheelhouse on Tuesday, falling 11-1 at Kennedy in their regular season finale.

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Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

1B Prep Softball / Reports

The Naselle softball team didn’t leave anything to chance in the 1B District IV championship game, scoring at least three runs in five different innings on Saturday to defeat Ocosta 17-9 on the turf at Montesano High School.

The victory gave the Comets back-to-back District championships to go with their matching league titles, and a full head of steam heading into the state tournament.

“That was their goal from the beginning of the season – to be league and District champs again,” said Naselle head coach Bekah Wirkkala. “And not just make it to State, but to compete. Bringing home hardware is a goal, too. We just need to show up and keep our bats hot!”

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Jordan Nailon for BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

2B Prep Softball / Report

CENTRALIA – Toledo softball fans have been working their way through a labyrinth of emotions in recent days.

Yes, their Riverhawks marched through the 2B District IV Tournament last week and captured the crown with a 9-8 walk-off win over Napavine on Saturday at Fort Borst Park. However, unlike previous seasons where The District Experience included at least a half dozen games for the Cheese Town Nine, this season the Toledo gang needed just three postseason contests to secure their spot in the state tournament.

So it’s not that Toledo fans are complaining, because of course they like to win. But walking around the diamond and dropping eves on the chatter, it’s clear that the Riverhawks’ faithful have not yet had their fill of late spring softball games, folding chairs, and concession stand food.

“A game like this is good for fans. Today it’s better for the Toledo fans and the Toledo girls,” Toledo head coach Jeff Davis said.

That’s the type of perspective that earns high school coaches the big bucks, because if Toledo fans were feeling shortchanged by a speed run through the bracket – just imagine how Napavine fans felt leaving The Hub City last weekend.

“I’ve said it for a couple of years now, when we’re playing Napavine I feel like we’re playing ourselves,” Davis added. “We are two teams that are pretty balanced. We both have good pitching. We both have hitters that won’t quit and keep hitting.”

— VIDEO: The Toledo softball teams gets the celebration started after securing the final out of the 2B District IV championship game against Napavine, Saturday, May 16, at Fort Borst Park. / Video by Whitney Nailon for BZM —

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Jordan Nailon for BlastZoneMedia.com / BlastZoneNews@gmail.com

2A Prep Softball / Report

CHEHALIS – If there was a shred of doubt remaining about who the top seed should be to the 2A State Tournament the Mark Morris softball team took it, shredded it, crumpled it up, dipped it in kerosene and set it ablaze with a napalm flamethrower by defeating W.F. West 11-0 for the District title, Friday, on the Bearcats’ home field at Rec Park.

The Monarchs and Bearcats had traded spots at the top of the RPI rankings throughout the course of the season – but the final order was set after MM’s rampage through the 2A District IV Tournament last week. After outscoring its opponents 44-0 in a trio of postseason games, Mark Morris earned the No. 1 seed to the state tournament when the brackets were released on Sunday.

The shutout of No. 2 ranked W.F. West in the District title tilt was just the latest in a string of 13 contests where the Monarchs have blanked their opponents – the first 10 of which came during the homestretch of an undefeated run through the 2A Greater St. Helens League.

— VIDEO: The Mark Morris softball team celebrates on the field after securing the final out of an 11-0 win over W.F. West in the District championship game, Friday, May 15, at Rec Park in Chehalis. / Video by Jordan Nailon for BZM —

“(Our resume) speaks for itself,” MM head coach Chris Mejia said. “I hate to say it because I hate to brag and I’m not that kind of guy… but we’re the real deal. This team is for real. We’re here to stay. We’re on a mission, and we’re not going to be deterred.”

Last season the Monarchs had to settle for second place in the district tournament, and wound up placing third in the state tournament. This year has largely been a redemption tour for MM, and if you haven’t quite figured out their goal for this season – here it is in black and white.

“We’re going to State and we’re going to make some noise and we’re going to bring that thing home,” Mejia said. “That’s the plan.”

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Blast Zone Media / blastzonenews@gmail.com

3A Prep Softball / Reports

VANCOUVER — The Kelso softball team rode a busload of hot bats to a pair of wins on Friday to claim its first District trophy in, well, we’re not quite sure how long.

”It’s been quite some time, “ said Kelso head coach Dean Sorensen. “We punched out ticked to State and we’re pretty happy about it.”

The Lassies found success in the new 3A District IV Tournament format, taking down the hosts from Heritage by a score of 10-1 in the semifinals and then taking down Shelton 10-4 for the District crown.

Kelso’s offense pounded out 11 hits in both games, and its pitching staff took care of the rest of the paperwork.

By claiming the District trophy after finishing in a tie for first place in the 3A Greater St. Helens League, the Lassies were able to boost their resume and earned the No. 11 seed to the 3A State Tournament on Sunday after the WIAA seeding committee had parsed all the evidence. By claiming a Top-12 spot Kelso avoided the dreaded loser-out play-in round to open the tournament at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey later this week.

“That’s what we were hoping for,” Sorensen said after the State bracket was released.

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Jordan Nailon for BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

2A Prep Softball / Reports

CHEHALIS – It would be tempting to compare the Mark Morris softball team’s offense to a lightning strike after a dominating day evening at the ballpark on Thursday in the 2A District IV Tournament, but they say lightning doesn’t strike twice in the same spot. Alas, the Monarchs rolled like thunder clouds to fraternal twin wins, defeating Black Hills 18-0 in the quarterfinals and then storming over Aberdeen 17-0 in the semifinals, to clinch a spot in the District title game and the 2A State Tournament berth that comes along with it.

“I think we did okay,” he said through a wet Cheshire Cat grin.”That’s the best two games I’ve seen these girls play all season, and against two top caliber teams.”

Shyanne Sellers led the Monarchs at the plate in the nightcap against the Bobcats, going 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, and three RBIs. But she was not alone in her offensive assault as Mark Morris hammered out 31 hits with five home runs on the day.

Appropriately enough, a true lighting bolt ripped through the rapidly darkening skies immediately preceding a post-semifinal interview with Sellers. For true believers in the Baseball and Softball Gods it was a clear sign from the heavens that the Monarchs had impressed the great peanut gallery upstairs.

“We work a lot of live-ball, especially at practice,” Sellers explained of MM’s collective prowess at the plate. “And I guess a lot of it is just mindset as well – going in there with the knowledge that your teammates have your back and you feel safe to attack the ball and to swing freely.”

Oh, and knowing you’ve got a pitcher who can give up just one hit over a pair of postseason contests doesn’t hurt either. Such is life when Makenzie Henthorn is the ace on staff — spinning no-hitters with a frequency and ease that allows the feat to somehow become overshadowed by the Monarchs’ thunder bolt bats.

“Score as many runs as we can,” Sellers said of MM’s simple goal at the plate each game. “It helps to take the pressure off our defense and it takes the pressure of Kenzie. Again, it’s all mental and if we feel like there’s no pressure then there isn’t any.”

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Luke Roth (Mid-Major Media) special to BlastZoneMedia.com / blastzonenews@gmail.com

OSAA Softball / Roundup

Tigers race by Gaston to repeat as league champs

The Clatskanie softball team left no doubt last week.

The Tigers swept Gaston in resounding fashion, winning all three games by run rule to secure back-2-back 2A / 1A Special District 1 championships, continuing to build momentum ahead of the state playoffs.

Clatskanie opened the series Tuesday with a 14-0 win in five innings, then followed it with two more dominant performances Friday, beating the Greyhounds 21-1 in four innings and 15-0 in three innings.

Across the three-game sweep, the Tigers outscored Gaston 50-1, and the series started with one of Clatskanie’s most complete performances of the season.

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