Jackson’s Yanina Sherwood pitches during a game against Bothell on May 19 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Jackson’s Yanina Sherwood pitches during a game against Bothell on May 19 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

State softball preview: Local teams poised to make waves

A capsule look at all eight local teams that will be playing in state tournament games, six of which are top-1o seeds.

As the high school softball state tournament get underway this week, there are eight local teams who still have a shot to bring home a title across various classifications and locations.

For 4A, Jackson, Kamiak and Glacier Peak are all still standing after claiming three of the four state berths in the District 1/2 tournament last weekend.

Snohomish, Mountlake Terrace, Stanwood and Cascade all represent the 3A division and Cedarcrest is alive in 2A play.

Here’s a look at the eight teams still standing:

CLASS 4A

Where: Columbia Playfields, Richland.

When: May 26-27.

Jackson

First-seeded Jackson (22-1) is set to face No. 16 Kamiakin (12-11) in the opening round on Friday at 11 a.m. at the Columbia Playfields in Richland. Coming off a 4A district title win over second-seeded Bothell last weekend, the Timberwolves drew the tournament’s top seed in their seventh consecutive trip to state, with back-to-back championships coming in 2018 and 2019. Jackson’s stellar defense has been present through its season-long campaign and helped carry the Wolves through districts. Jackson has allowed just 0.8 runs per game this season with a .970 fielding percentage. UNLV-bound junior Yanina Sherwood has held the circle down for Jackson, racking up a whopping 226 strikeouts on the year over 138 innings pitched, flaunting a 20-1 record and a 0.41 earned-run average. On the offensive end, they’ve also been consistent, headlined by senior Fresno State commit Rachel Sysum, who’s batting a team-best .422 with a school record 14 home runs. Sherwood, Simone Williams, Macie Dean, Hailey Pelletier and Leneyah Mitchell have all connected on at least 20 hits and all have batted .330-plus. Jackson was recently included in the MaxPreps top-25 national rankings.

Glacier Peak’s Faith Jordan high-fives her coach after hitting a home run during a game against Lake Stevens on May 10 in Snohomish. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Glacier Peak’s Faith Jordan high-fives her coach after hitting a home run during a game against Lake Stevens on May 10 in Snohomish. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Glacier Peak

The 20-4 Glacier Peak Grizzlies will open up the state tournament against 11th-seeded Battle Ground on Friday at 9 a.m. After taking the eighth seed in the 10-team 4A District 1/2 Tournament, Glacier Peak ripped through three loser-out contests in a row to claim the No. 6 seed in the state bracket. The Grizzlies come into the pool having won eight of their last nine contests. They’ve shut out teams seven times this season and haven’t allowed more than four runs in a game and a total of just 1.7 runs per contest. GP’s pitching combo of senior Faith Jordan and junior Maya Mesa along with a deep and potent offensive attack across the lineup have been keys to the Grizzlies’ success.

Kamiak’s Tyler Karabach is greeted at home after hitting a home run during a game against Skyline on May 19 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Kamiak’s Tyler Karabach is greeted at home after hitting a home run during a game against Skyline on May 19 in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Kamiak

Much like Glacier Peak, Kamiak (19-5) had to play some of its best softball of the season to make it through the district bracket. After a state-clinching win over Skyline last week, the Knights find themselves locked into the No. 9 seed and will face eighth-seeded Rogers of Puyallup at 11 a.m. in the first round in the 4A tourney, with the potential to run up against Jackson in the second round, should the Wolves capture a win over Kamiakin. Kamiak has been able to run up the scoreboard against most opposing schools this year, averaging a league-best 12.3 runs per game and a 9.1 run differential. Kamiak’s lineup is batting .429 this year behind team leader Scarlette Chapman, a junior, who is batting .706 over 85 at-bats. Senior Samantha Rowher follows with a .492 average and has homered eight times. Eight different Knights have connected on at least 20 hits over the season.

CLASS 3A

Where: Regional Athletic Complex, Lacey

When: May 25-27.

Snohomish players celebrate during a game against Snohomish on May 18 at Phil Johnson Ballfields in Everett. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish players celebrate during a game against Snohomish on May 18 at Phil Johnson Ballfields in Everett. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Snohomish

Appearing in its eighth-straight trip at state, the No. 2 Panthers will square off against the winner of Garfield (No. 18) and Heritage (No. 15) in the second round of the 3A bracket. Having won eight out of the last nine Wesco 3A/2A league trophies, Snohomish (20-3) is poised for a possible deep postseason run. Two-way star senior Skyla Bristol has been cleaning up on both sides of the field for the Panthers. In the circle, she’s struck out 121 batters over 59 innings, with a 0.36 ERA and a 6-2 record. At the plate, she’s connected on 36 of her 70 at-bats with 10 doubles. Emma Hansen has been equally impressive offensively, batting .493 with a team-high 37 hits and 37 RBI.

Mountlake Terrace pitcher Ellie Gilbert jumps in the air after sealing an extra-inning victory over Cascade during the 3A District 1 Tournament game May 16 at Phil Johnson Ballfields in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Mountlake Terrace pitcher Ellie Gilbert jumps in the air after sealing an extra-inning victory over Cascade during the 3A District 1 Tournament game May 16 at Phil Johnson Ballfields in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Mountlake Terrace

The 10th-seeded Mountlake Terrace Hawks (15-7) came on strong towards the end of the year, finishing off the season 12-3 after a 3-4 start and clinching a state berth with a 7-6 win over Cascade (17-6) in the 3A District 1 semifinal round. Led by Providence College signee and big-time slugger Cameron Dunn, the Hawks have maneuvered their way through close contests this season and are 6-1 in games decided by two runs or less. They will play Mt. Spokane on Friday at 9 a.m.

Cascade’s Alexa Hamshaw delivers a pitch against Mountlake Terrace during the 3A District 1 Tournament on May 16 at Phil Johnson Ballfields in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Cascade’s Alexa Hamshaw delivers a pitch against Mountlake Terrace during the 3A District 1 Tournament on May 16 at Phil Johnson Ballfields in Everett. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Cascade

The 17-6 Cascade Bruins narrowly clinched a trip into the 3A state tournament with a 15-14 win over city-rival Everett in a loser-out, nine-inning barn-burner last week. Having been penned in as the eighth seed, they’ll go up against Gig Harbor (No. 9) in the opening round on Friday at 11 a.m. Cascade brings a top-notch offense into state, which has been spearheaded by multi-faceted ace Abby Surowiec. During the regular season, the senior batted .510 (26-for-51), leading the team in runs scored and RBI. She’s also been a part of the Bruins’ two-headed attack in the circle, along with senior Alexa Hamshaw. Both pitched 40-plus innings in the regular season, combining for 155 strikeouts. Junior and starting catcher Jaidyn Wilson leads Cascade with a .537 average, adding a team-high 12 doubles.

Stanwood players celebrate during a game against Marysville Getchell on May 18 at Phil Johnson Ballfields in Everett. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Stanwood players celebrate during a game against Marysville Getchell on May 18 at Phil Johnson Ballfields in Everett. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Stanwood

After coming in as the last seed in the 3A District 1 Tournament, Stanwood (12-12) found a way to claim one of the three state berths at districts, rattling off wins over Marysville Getchell, Mount Vernon and Meadowdale. The No. 20 Spartans open up with a loser-out matchup against 13th-seeded Ballard Thursday at 3 p.m. for the right to face Bonney Lake (No. 4) in the opening round on Friday.

CLASS 2A

Where: Carlon Park, Selah

When: May 26-27

Cedarcrest

The 14-8 Red Wolves open in the 2A bracket against sixth-seeded Port Angeles on Friday at 9 a.m. Cedarcrest ranked second in Wesco 3A/2A with 9.7 runs per contest, trailing Snohomish at 10.3. Senior catcher Maddie Knowles leads the group with 12 homers on the year and has collected 45 RBI. As a unit, the Red Wolves have batted .366 and notched 178 RBI and 213 total runs.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Arlington’s Leyton Martin puts three fingers in the air after making a three point shot during the game against Glacier Peak on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 15

Leyton Martin’s triple-double leads Arlington to district win

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district playoff clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Freshman leads Jackson to 4A district swim title

Syunta Lee sets two meet records as Timberwolves edge Lake Stevens.

Shorecrest wins 3A district swim title

Snohomish’s Torsten Hokanson sets two meet records and leads two winning relays.

Marysville Pilchuck claims 2A district wrestling title

Tomahawks win three individual championship bouts.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Gonzaga sets school record with 33 assists in blowout

The first half started with Khalif Battle hitting consecutive 3-pointers… Continue reading

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

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.