High school softball power rankings: Top 10 teams in South Sound

Jon Manley, Lauren Smith
·6 min read

The postseason is drawing near as high school softball enters the final stretch of the regular season this spring in the South Sound.

The News Tribune is ranking the top 10 programs in the area, regardless of classification.

We considered a variety of factors when ranking teams, including strength of schedule, quality wins, high-level individual talent and more.

Bonney Lake outfielder Kyla Cross swings at a pitch in a nonleague softball game against Jackson on Friday, April 28, 2023 at Jackson High School in Mill Creek, Wash.
Bonney Lake outfielder Kyla Cross swings at a pitch in a nonleague softball game against Jackson on Friday, April 28, 2023 at Jackson High School in Mill Creek, Wash.

1. Bonney Lake (14-3) — Panthers are expected to be a 3A state contender again this spring behind two stellar pitchers and a stacked lineup. Reigning 3A PCL player of the year Bella Carazo, a two-time TNT All-Area pick, has impressed in the circle again this season, posting a 1.54 ERA with 81 strikeouts in 10 appearances, while Alissa Hermansen has a 1.28 ERA and 68 strikeouts in eight. Kyla Cross paces the Panthers in extra-base hits (18) — with seven doubles and a team-best five triples and six home runs — and RBI (33). Bella Jones, Jess Eaton, Laina Baker and Jadyn Johnson also have 20-plus RBI so far this spring. Bonney Lake is 11-0 in 3A PCL play this season, and one win away from closing out a sixth consecutive undefeated league title. Panthers’ only losses are to 4A contenders in Olympia (4-3) and undefeated Bothell (7-5) in March, and Jackson (1-0) last week. Bonney Lake has outscored opponents, 191-14, in victories.

Kentwood pitcher Sarah Wright (9) pitches during the third inning of a non-conference varsity softball game against Auburn Riverside at Auburn Riverside High School in Auburn, Wash. on April 25, 2023. Kentwood defeated Auburn Riverside 3-0.
Kentwood pitcher Sarah Wright (9) pitches during the third inning of a non-conference varsity softball game against Auburn Riverside at Auburn Riverside High School in Auburn, Wash. on April 25, 2023. Kentwood defeated Auburn Riverside 3-0.

2. Kentwood (14-3) — 4A NPSL front runners are 10-0 in league play with one week left, and on an 11-game winning streak since their three losses in March — which were all to state-caliber programs in 4A SPSL contender Rogers (3-1) in their season-opener, 1A state power Montesano (6-3) and Jackson (2-0). The Conquerors have posted nine shutouts this season — including eight of their past nine and each of their past six dating back to mid-April. They’ve scored double-digit runs in 10 of their past 11 games, and have allowed only 23 in 17 contests this spring. Reigning state Gatorade Player of the Year and TNT All-Area player of the year Sarah Wright paces Kentwood in the circle and at the plate.

3. Olympia (15-2) — 4A SPSL leaders opened the season on a 10-game winning streak before 4A league losses to South Kitsap and Emerald Ridge in April, but rallied with three consecutive wins last week, including besting the Wolves in their league rematch. The Bears also split with the Jaguars this season, and second meetings with Rogers and Puyallup in the next week could be key in the league standings, with Olympia and the three Puyallup School District programs still in the mix. Iowa State commit Sami Potvin, the reigning 4A SPSL pitcher of the year and a two-time TNT All-Area pick, has a 1.18 ERA and 158 strikeouts — striking out more than half of 307 batters faced — in 14 appearances, and nine double-digit strikeout games. Laila Smith leads the Bears in batting average (.491), doubles (nine), home runs (three) and RBI (21), and Alyssa Hoff paces the program in runs scored (18), hits (29) and triples (three). Potvin and Ava Bautista also have double-digit RBI.

Peninsula’s Alli Kimball celebrates after hitting a home run in the bottom of the first inning of a 3A South Sound Conference game against Gig Harbor on Monday, April 17, 2023, at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Wash.
Peninsula’s Alli Kimball celebrates after hitting a home run in the bottom of the first inning of a 3A South Sound Conference game against Gig Harbor on Monday, April 17, 2023, at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Wash.

4. Peninsula (13-2) — Seahawks opened the season on a four-game winning streak, and have won their past nine following their only two losses to top 4A programs Jackson (1-0) and Bothell (6-0) in late March. Defending 3A SSC champions are also 9-0 in league play so far this spring after winning an undefeated league title last season. Peninsula has outscored opponents, 165-22, in wins this season. Reigning 3A SSC player of the year Alli Kimball, also a two-time TNT All-Area selection, has a 1.72 ERA and 129 strikeouts through 12 appearances so far this spring, and hasn’t allowed an earned run in the past three outings. Glory Estabrook is the team leader in runs scored (28), hits (24), extra-base hits (14), doubles (10) and triples (2), and also has a 1.27 ERA and 35 strikeouts in seven appearances. Seahawks have six regular contributors averaging over .400 at the plate, led by Malia Coit (.512). Ava Miranda paces six players with double-digit RBI with 24.

Puyallup pitcher Izzy Welch delivers to a Sumner batter during the Vikings’ fastpitch game against the Sumner Spartans at Puyallup High School in Puyallup, Washington, on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.
Puyallup pitcher Izzy Welch delivers to a Sumner batter during the Vikings’ fastpitch game against the Sumner Spartans at Puyallup High School in Puyallup, Washington, on Wednesday, April 27, 2022.

5. Puyallup (14-3) — Defending 4A SPSL champions posted seven consecutive wins this spring before back-to-back losses to crosstown rival Rogers and Olympia, then six more before another crosstown rivalry loss to Emerald Ridge last week. Puyallup rallied with a shutout of Rogers on Monday night to split with the Rams this season, and pivotal rematches with Emerald Ridge and Olympia are ahead as the league season nears its end. Izzy Welch (1.63 ERA, 94 strikeouts in 11 appearances) — who just struck out 12 in a seven-inning complete game shutout of the Rams — and Lauryn Krick (1.50 ERA, 65 strikeouts in 10 appearances) pace the pitching staff. Kyra Smith paces Puyallup in batting average (.436), runs scored (24), extra-base hits (14) and home runs (8), and has five doubles and one triple, also tied for the team lead. Taryn Takayoshi leads the Vikings in hits (25) and RBI (24).

Rogers High School softball players, from left, Sydney Sasaki, Keagun Norfleet and Raygun Klippert have made the Rams a contender in the 4A SPSL this spring.
Rogers High School softball players, from left, Sydney Sasaki, Keagun Norfleet and Raygun Klippert have made the Rams a contender in the 4A SPSL this spring.

6. Rogers (10-3) — Rams have had a breakout year behind the contributions of SS Raygun Klippert (.471 avg, seven doubles, triple, seven RBI), P/INF Keagan Norleet (.459, three doubles, triple, two home runs, eight RBI; 1.80 ERA, 66 strikeouts) and others. Rogers is seeking its first state tournament appearance since 2019.

7. Emerald Ridge (11-4) — Massachusetts Lowell commit, 2B Isabella Quintanilla has been tearing the cover off the ball this spring, hitting .558 with five home runs, four triples, four doubles and 21 RBI. Lillian Stariha has been productive, too, hitting .511 with three homers, two triples, five doubles and 22 RBI. Jaguars have been scorching hot, winning 11 of their last 12, including wins over strong Olympia and Puyallup squads.

8. Decatur (11-2) — The Gators have no issue putting runs on the board, averaging 14.3 runs per game this season. INF Sina Fuiava has been mashing the softball, hitting .786 with 13 home runs, a triple, nine doubles and a team-high 41 RBI. Kahea Sharpe is hitting .697 with a home run, three triples and three doubles, while three other Gators — Nini Sevaaetasi, Lani Smith-O’Brien, Audrey Deviney — have driven in more than 20 runs each.

Auburn Riverside Kaylee Walker (23) high-fives Auburn Riverside pitcher Danica Butler (22) after Butler struck out a Kentwood player during a non-conference varsity softball game against Kentwood at Auburn Riverside High School in Auburn, Wash. on April 25, 2023. Kentwood defeated Auburn Riverside 3-0.
Auburn Riverside Kaylee Walker (23) high-fives Auburn Riverside pitcher Danica Butler (22) after Butler struck out a Kentwood player during a non-conference varsity softball game against Kentwood at Auburn Riverside High School in Auburn, Wash. on April 25, 2023. Kentwood defeated Auburn Riverside 3-0.

9. Auburn Riverside (12-5) — Ravens’ losses this season have come in nonleague contests and to 4A Kentwood and Decatur in NPSL crossover games. Otherwise, it’s been smooth sailing for Auburn Riverside, which is averaging 9.6 runs per game. INF Kaylee Walker is leading the team in several statistical categories this spring, batting .531 with three home runs, nine doubles and 25 RBI. Lexie Vircks (.424, 18 RBI), Jossy Taylor (.400, 13 RBI), Seneca Aarstad (.320, 16 RBI), Aubree Muxen (.393, two home runs, nine RBI) and Bailee Brader (.380, four home runs, 20 RBI) are all contributing.

10. Tumwater (11-6) — After an April 21 loss to W.F. West, Tumwater returned the favor, beating W.F. West 8-3 three days later. Since the loss, Tumwater has won six straight, holding opponents to a measly 1.2 runs per game, including three shutouts. The defending 2A state champions finish their schedule with three more league games before a nonleague contest against Prairie on May 12.

Orting High School softball players (from left) senior pitcher Kaylee Gresko, junior catcher Miken Jacobsen, senior shortstop Abbi Almont, and sophomore third baseman Madalynn Halte, pose for a portrait in Orting, Wash., on Monday, April 24, 2023.
Orting High School softball players (from left) senior pitcher Kaylee Gresko, junior catcher Miken Jacobsen, senior shortstop Abbi Almont, and sophomore third baseman Madalynn Halte, pose for a portrait in Orting, Wash., on Monday, April 24, 2023.

THE NEXT FIVE

Tahoma, South Kitsap, Gig Harbor, Timberline, Orting