Prep softball preview

WESCO NORTH

Favorite: Arlington

Last year Arlington made it to the state playoffs for the first time in 14 years, making its first trip ever as a 4A school. The Eagles were almost a unanimous pick among coaches as the favorite to win the conference this season, largely because it keeps the main core of its team from last season, including All-Wesco North second team pitcher Veronica Ladines.

“They had a good team last year, and I think most of them were juniors,” said Lake Stevens head coach Adrienne Lartz. “They got to keep most of their returning players.”

Dark Horses: Marysville Pilchuck, Snohomish

Marysville Pilchuck might be more of a favorite than a dark horse. The Tomahawks did finish second in 4A last year at the state tournament. But Marysville Pilchuck lost several starters to graduation, and with Marysville Getchell fielding a team for the first time, it might lose out on some young Marysville talent to recoup that loss. At least one Wesco coach thinks Snohomish might make a run this season as well. “Snohomish is scary good,” said new Marysville Getchell head coach Mike Moran, previously with Jackson.

Player to watch: Devan Larsen, Monroe, shortstop/pitcher, Sr.

The Monroe shortstop and pitcher earned second-team All-Wesco honors last year. The Bearcats’ leader in homeruns last season, Larsen is looking to play Division One softball somewhere, a goal that Monroe head coach Curt Eskeback thinks is easily attainable. “She’s a hard worker,” he said. “She’s just a great asset to the team. … She’s a quality young lady. A good athlete and a good student.”

Notable Names: Katlyn Purvis, Snohomish, So., Third base; Rayne Sylvester, Lake Stevens, so., Shortstop/Pitcher/Catcher; Haley Fritz, Marysville Pilchuck, Jr., Second Base

WESCO SOUTH

Favorite: Jackson

Jackson has visited the state tournament the past two seasons and won the Wesco South title the past eight, cementing itself as the perennial preseason favorite in the South. However, Jackson did lose a good portion of last year’s team, including Moran, its former coach. On the other hand, the Timberwolves welcome Kyle Peacocke, formerly of Everett, who’s had some postseason success of his own. Combine that with Jackson’s history of swapping out departed seniors for new talent, and the Timberwolves’ bid for a ninth title looks pretty good.

“They have a program that seems to reload every year,” said Edmonds-Woodway coach Mike Venable. “Even though they lost one of their pitchers they had another younger one have success against us. They have an excellent program all the way around. I think they’ll be good again this year.”

“It’s one of those deals where Jackson, year after year, puts together amazing teams,” agreed Bill Bowker, the head coach at Kamiak. “I tend to go with them off the bat.”

Dark Horse: Cascade

Cascade looks to make a splash in its first season in the Wesco South conference. The Bruins finished 15-10 last season in the North, but are now in a five-team 4A conference where the second-best 4A team last season finished 9-14.

“Last season, when we played them, they had some really effective players,” Bowker said. “They could put together a really great team as well.”

Player to watch: Megan Cooley, Jackson, outfielder, Sr.

Cooley is one of four returning starters from last year’s Jackson team that got to the state tournament. The outfielder, who is headed to Boston College after this season, is a great leader and example for her younger teammates to follow, according to Peacocke, the first-year Jackson coach.

“Megan is kind of the total package of a softball player,” Peacocke said. “She’s fast, she’s intelligent, she makes good decisions.”

Notable Names: Catcher Cassady Orstad, Edmonds-Woodway, jr., Catcher; Angie McFall, Kamiak, jr., Shortstop/Pitcher; Megan Miller, Cascade, Sr., Third Base/Shortstop.

WESCO 3A

Favorite: Everett

All Everett’s done the past few seasons is get four top eight finishes in the last five 3A state tournaments. Only three seniors leave a team that tied for seventh last year and third the year before.

“I know they have a lot of talent,” said Glacier Peak head coach Brad Johnson. “The twins (seniors Chloe and Lauren Kesterson) have both signed (letters of intent). Lexie Levine is going to Western. They have a lot of girls going to play in college. They kind of have everything put together.”

Dark Horse: Mountlake Terrace, Shorecrest, Lynnwood

The spot behind Everett appears to be wide-open. Mountlake Terrace reached the 3A state tournament last season, where it was eliminated by Everett. The Hawks lost a few players from that team but return several key players, including junior pitcher Rene Bos.

Shorecrest and Lynnwood also have a couple other coaches nervous.

“Shorecrest is one that I see is up and coming,” said Johnson. “Last year, they got some really young talent. …I could see them as somebody that’s going to surprise a few teams.”

As for Lynnwood, Bowker – who’s happy his Knights aren’t in Lynnwood’s conference – sees the Royals as a strong up and coming team. Lynnwood won the conference just three seasons ago, and could again be at the top of the standings this season.

“It’s really interesting to see the progress they’ve made,” Bowker said

Player to watch: Annie Reynolds, Glacier Peak, shortstop, Sr.

Reynolds, who has been a varsity starter since her freshman season, was an All-Wesco 3A honorable mention last year as a junior. The shortstop hopes to help a young Glacier Peak squad to get back on top in Wesco 3A. The Grizzlies finished fifth last season after winning the conference title the year before.

“Annie Reynolds had a lot of postseason recognition around the league,” Johnson said. “She’s definitely a player to watch.”

Notable Names: Lexie Levin, Everett, Sr., First Base; Jordyn Berg, Lynnwood, Sr., Outfielder; Jeanna Berg, Shorecrest, So., Second Base

CASCADE CONFERENCE

Favorite: Granite Falls

Granite Falls has spent the past couple seasons at – or tied for – the top of the Cascade Conference, and been to the last three 2A state tournaments. It doesn’t look like that’s going to change this season.

“I have a feeling that Granite Falls is still going to be on top, just because I don’t think they lost a lot,” said Archbishop Murphy coach Stephanie Harmon. “They’re usually strong.”

Dark Horse: Sultan, Archbishop Murphy

Archbishop Murphy is usually high in the Cascade Conference standings, but lost its starting pitcher leading to a bit of a pitching by committee that features a converted catcher (see below). Sultan, meanwhile, has steadily climbed up the standings and may be poised for a breakout year.

“Sutlan came back over the past couple of years,” Harmon said. “They’ve got a great coaching staff and they’ve really turned it around. I have a feeling they’re going to surprise some people this year because they surprised a lot of people last year.”

Player to watch: Marea Homes, Archbishop Murphy, catcher, Sr.

Homes, who’s entering her fourth season as the Wildcats’ varsity catcher, will soon find herself on the other end of that position after the graduation of last year’s All-Area player – and Murphy pitcher – Amanda Manuel.

“(Homes) is going to have to step in to pitch,” Harmon said.

Her first start will mark the first innings Homes has pitched in her high school career. But Harmon isn’t too worried about Homes’ ability.

“She’s such a great athlete she can step in and do a great job,” the Murphy coach said.

Notable Name: Logan Thomas, Granite Falls, Sr., Outfielder.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

AquaSox outfielder Carson Jones gets settled in the batter's box during Everett's 4-3 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 6, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox show progress, but drop fifth straight to Canadians

Jones’ go-ahead, 3-run homer is spoiled in 4-3 loss to wrap up homestand.

Bryan Woo of the Seattle Mariners delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Toronto. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Three Mariners added to MLB All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced today that Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez,… Continue reading

George Kirby (68) of the Seattle Mariners pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at T-Mobile Park on Sunday, July 6, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenne / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Pirates finish historically bad offensive series in Seattle

Similar to the first two games of the series, the… Continue reading

Seattle Storm forward Alysha Clark (32) and Aces guard Jewell Loyd (24) guard each other during a free throw in a WNBA basketball game between the Aces and the Seattle Storm at Michelob ULTRA Arena Friday, June 20, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Madeline Carter / Las Vegas Review-Journal / Tribune News Services)
Storm uses third-quarter thunderbolt to down Liberty

Rookie Dominique Malonga scored 11 and took over in the third quarter for Seattle.

AquaSox pitcher Jurrangelo Cijntje follows through on a pitch during Everett's 3-0 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 5, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox blanked by Vancouver as losing skid continues

Everett generates just three hits in 3-0 loss to the Canadians on Saturday.

AquaSox infielder Charlie Pagliarini starts to swing at a pitch that he would launch for a two-run home run in Everett's 9-2 loss to the Vancouver Canadians at Funko Field on July 4, 2025. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
AquaSox lack spark in Independence Day loss to Vancouver

Everett draws eight walks, but has just two hits in 9-2 loss to the Canadians.

Kimberly Beard, a rising senior at King's, stands next to the results board after winning the girls hammer throw at the Nike Outdoor National Track & Field Championships in Eugene, Oregon on June 22, 2025. (Photo courtesy Donna Beard)
Beard, Tupua shine at Nike Outdoor Nationals

The rising seniors make their mark on a national stage amidst a busy summer schedule.

Everett AquaSox shortstop Colt Emerson catches the ball at second base for the first out in a double play during the Opening Day game against the Hillsboro Hops on Tuesday, April 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Emerson’s preparation finally paying off in Everett

The AquaSox shortstop is coming off his best month in High-A. Here’s how it came together:

The Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodríguez, right, claps after stealing second base during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Witt Jr. and Mariners’ bullpen both slide, KC wins series

The Kansas City Royals found a way against the Seattle Mariners on… Continue reading

Seattle Storm guard Skylar Diggins (4) tries to drive past Dallas Wings guard JJ Quinerly (11) during the first half of a WNBA basketball game at College Park Center on Monday, May 19, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Storm)
Storm survive Dream on Diggins game-winner

Nneka Ogwumike and Erica Wheeler combined for 45 points in the 80-79 win.

Julius Miettinen listens to a coach during Kraken Development Camp on-ice session for forwards on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pair of Silvertips check status at Kraken Development Camp

Julius Miettinen hopes to take strides back in Everett, while Kaden Hammell turns pro.

Randy Arozarena of the Seattle Mariners celebrates with the team trident after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Seattle. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Mariners overcome Perez to beat Royals

The Kansas City Royals found themselves in another close encounter against the… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.