It’s the time of year where the games really mean something.
With multiple Twin Harbor area teams vying for district and state championships, the time is right to take a closer look at the first-round playoff games as prep baseball teams begin the state playoffs and high school softball teams open districts this week.
Montesano Softball
Montesano has been swinging a hot bat on its way to the top seed in the league and will now prepare for Stevenson in the first round of the 1A Districts.
Though both teams find themselves in the postseason, the win-loss record indicates Monte and Stevenson had two different seasons.
Stevenson enters districts looking for its first win of the season after posting a record 0-15-1, as every team in the four-team 1A Trico League gets a spot in the district tournament.
The young Stevenson Bulldogs only have one senior in center fielder in Kimmy Babcock and have primarily relied on a pair of underclassmen to handle the pitching duties.
The Montesano Bulldogs don’t have the same issues and boast one of the stronger pitchers in the league.
Samantha Stanfield went 9-1 on the season with an ERA of 1.45 in 13 appearances. She also created problems for opposing pitchers with a .463 average at the plate with 24 RBI and five homers.
Abigail Parkin leads the Bulldogs with a batting average of .556 and is the leading base-stealer with nine.
Monte and Stevenson will face off at noon on Thursday at Borst Park in Centralia.
PWV Softball
The Trojans don’t know who they will play as they enjoy the first-round bye to open 2B District tournament.
With Pe Ell-Willapa Valley awaiting the winner of a game between Winlock and South Bend, the Trojans get an extra day to rest and focus on fine tuning some things before their opening game.
Trojans head coach Ken Olson said they have an idea of who they will play and is expecting his team to execute regardless of the opponent.
“Its tough to plan ahead but the kids still have to come ready to play or all this preparation is for nothing,” he said. “It comes down to the kids participating in the game. We can plan all day long but the kids still have to come out and perform.”
Performance hasn’t been much of an issue with PWV as the Titans are 17-3 overall this season.
Brittany Patrick has been a key part of the offense with 10 homers and 47 RBI, making her the team leader in both categories.
Sisters Katie and Kamryn Atkins have both been solid in the circle and have combined ERA of 3.56 and a record of 16-3.
PWV has given its pitchers plenty of run support and is batting .430 and has driven 199 runs.
Olson said every team in the tournament can generate runs and is hoping his fielders can make plays as they make another run to state.
“We have to play solid defense and we have to hit well. This time of year everybody can hit pretty well,” he said. “If your pitchers can hold the fort for you and your hitters take care of business, then you’ll be successful.”
Abereen softball
Aberdeen ended the regular season on a three-game winning streak and earned a spot in the 2A Evergreen District tournament with a play-in game against R.A. Long.
RA Long found its way into the fifth spot of the Greater Saint Helen’s League after losing four of its last five games. The Lumberjacks pulled off a win against Hockinson to secure the last playoff seed. RA Long has been working with a short bench this year with only 12 players on the roster, one of whom is a senior.
While the Lumberjacks are working with youth, the Bobcats have been relying heavily on senior catcher Reagan Glanz to provide offense. Glanz hit five home runs this season, including a round-tripper in the team’s win against Centralia that sent them into the postseason.
In the circle, Jalyn McDaniel has pitched the lion’s share of the innings and has had 20 strikeouts combined in her last three winning efforts.
Aberdeen head coach Scott Wilson said his team is feeling confident going into the single-elimination game.
“We’re stepping up and playing some of our best ball of the season. We’re playing with a lot of confidence at the right time,” he said.
Aberdeen will face the Lumberjacks 4:30 p.m., Tuesday at home.
Ocosta Softball
Ocosta softball will have to play the waiting game and see who wins between Toledo and Toutle Lake but the league champs should be familiar with at least one of its potential opponents.
Toutle Lake and the Wildcats played a close game on April 20 that saw Ocosta sneak away with a 5-3 win at home.
Ocosta (18-4) will face one of the two teams on Wednesday at Borst Park after enjoying the first-round bye.
Montesano baseball
The Bulldogs will be looking to bounce back from a loss to King’s Way Christian in the 1A District Championship game when they take on University Prep in the first round of the state playoffs.
The Pumas went 9-5 and finished second in the 1A Emerald City standings with the help of some reliable pitching from Gus Coluccio and Nick Roman. Coluccio has shown some ability to miss bats and had a seven strikeouts in three innings of work in a on March 24 against Zillah.
Monte baseball has a couple of talented hurlers of its own and has primarily relied on Nate Kloempken as the go-to starter. Kloempken performed admirably in a losing effort to King’s Way Christian, accumulating 10 strikeouts in 5-1/3 innings pitched.
Evan Bates has also been called to log innings and could see some playing time in the first round of regionals.
“Bates has a good change-up and he can throw it at any point and he just attacks the zone and relies on his defense. He’s not afraid to challenge guys.”
Ocosta baseball
After securing a spot in the 2B State Championships with a consolation-round win over Toutle Lake on Friday, the Wildcats were blitzed by Kalama in losing the third-fourth place game 20-1.
The Wildcats (19-5) will face a familiar foe in the opening round of state when they take on Adna at 10 a.m. on Saturday at WF West High School.
Adna beat Ocosta 7-3 in the district semifinal round on May 8.
