Here is The News Tribune’s 2023 All-Area softball team

Jon Manley, Lauren Smith
·7 min read

First- and second-team selections for The News Tribune’s 2023 All-Area softball team.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Alli Kimball, Peninsula, sr. — Paced Peninsula to a second consecutive 3A SSC title, a 3A District 3/4 championship and the first 3A state title in program history with stellar performances in the circle and the batter’s box. 3A SSC pitcher of the year posted a 20-2 record and 1.07 ERA, striking out 250 batters across 143 1/3 innings. Also hit .552 with 25 runs scored, nine doubles, a triple, five home runs and 39 RBI. Was also the 3A SSC most valuable pitcher in 2022, and 4A SPSL North most valuable pitcher in 2021. Three-time TNT All-Area pick is a Western Washington commit.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Mike Paul, Peninsula — Coached the Seahawks to a 29-2 overall record, a 17-0 league record and the 3A South Sound Conference title, the 3A District 3/4 title and the Class 3A state title, the school’s first championship.

FIRST TEAM

Kentwood pitcher Sarah Wright (9) pitches during the second 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 second 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.

PITCHERS

Bella Carazo, Bonney Lake, jr. — Posted a 1.93 ERA during the Panthers’ run to a sixth consecutive undefeated 3A PCL title and appearance in the 3A state quarterfinals. 3A PCL first-teamer struck out 168 batters. Three-time TNT All-Area selection was also the 3A PCL pitcher of the year in 2021 and player of the year in 2022. Mount Hood CC commit.

Ella Ferguson, Tumwater, soph. — 2A EvCo MVP posted a 1.80 ERA for the T-Birds this spring, striking out 240 batters across 141 innings. Two-time TNT All-Area pick was also a 2A EvCo first-teamer last season.

Kaylee Gresko, Orting, sr. — The 2A SPSL pitcher of the year had a 2.46 ERA with 170 strikeouts. At the plate, hit .576 with 16 doubles, a triple, three home runs, 44 RBI and 17 runs scored. PLU commit.

Jasmyn Polanco, Timberline, jr. — Blazers’ top pitcher was among the state leaders in strikeouts. In 174 innings pitched, Polanco posted a 16-9 record, a 3.09 ERA with 284 strikeouts. At the plate, hit .446 with nine doubles, three triples, seven home runs and 27 RBI. Two-time TNT All-Area selection.

Sami Potvin, Olympia, jr. — 4A SPSL most valuable pitcher led Olympia to the 4A state first round, posting a 14-5 record and 1.55 ERA, striking out 255 in 135 1/3 innings. Also hit .305 with 16 runs scored, four doubles, a triple, two home runs and 15 RBI. Was also the 4A SPSL South co-most valuable pitcher in 2021 and 4A SPSL pitcher of the year in 2022. Three-time TNT All-Area pick. Iowa State commit.

Sarah Wright, Kentwood, jr. — 4A NPSL player of the year led Kentwood to an undefeated 4A NPSL title and appearance in the 4A state semifinals. Posted a 16-4 record and 0.53 ERA, striking out 230 batters in 105 innings. Also paced Kentwood’s offense, hitting .457 with 30 runs scored, 14 doubles, two triples, five home runs and 29 RBI. Was also the 4A NPSL pitcher of the year in both 2021 and 2022. TNT All-Area player of the year in 2022, and a three-time selection. Arizona commit.

Peninsula’s Glory Estabrook scores and Payton Davis rounds third base on her way home to score off of a 2-run single by Ava Miranda during the bottom of the fifth inning as Gig Harbor catcher Sarah Holland looks on during a 3A South Sound Conference game on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Wash.
Peninsula’s Glory Estabrook scores and Payton Davis rounds third base on her way home to score off of a 2-run single by Ava Miranda during the bottom of the fifth inning as Gig Harbor catcher Sarah Holland looks on during a 3A South Sound Conference game on Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Wash.

CATCHER

Sarah Holland, Gig Harbor, sr. — 3A SSC first-team selection was a hitting machine for the Tides, batting .500 with seven doubles, four triples, 10 home runs, 52 RBI and 30 runs scored. Caught every inning for the Tides this spring and held opponents to four steals on the season.

Puyallup Emerald Ridge’s Isabel Quintanilla celebrates after a 2-run single by Lillian Stariha tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning of the 4A West Central/Southwest district softball championship game at Kent Service Fields on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Kent, Wash.
Puyallup Emerald Ridge’s Isabel Quintanilla celebrates after a 2-run single by Lillian Stariha tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh inning of the 4A West Central/Southwest district softball championship game at Kent Service Fields on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Kent, Wash.

INFIELDERS

Alosina Fuiava, Decatur, jr. — Played first and third base for the Gators and hit with plenty of pop, posting a .627 average with nine doubles, two triples, 14 home runs, 44 RBI and 40 runs scored.

Raygun Klippert, Rogers, jr. — Leadoff hitter was the heartbeat of a Rams team that reached the state tournament quarterfinals this spring. She hit .554 with 10 doubles, four triples, three home runs, 21 RBI and 37 runs scored. Also had six walks and 15 stolen bases.

Ella Lidstrom, White River, sr. — For the second straight year, White River’s shortstop was named the 2A SPSL MVP. She hit .554 with nine doubles, three triples, four home runs, 26 RBI and 27 runs scored this spring. Made high-level defensive plays all season, too. Two-time TNT All-Area selection.

Izzy Quintanilla, Emerald Ridge, sr. — 4A SPSL MVP led the Jaguars to the 4A state first playoffs, hitting .474 with 30 runs scored, six doubles, four triples, six home runs, 28 RBI and nine stolen bases. Was also a 4A SPSL first-team infielder in 2022 and 4A SPSL South first-team selection at catcher in 2021. UMass Lowell commit.

Sarah Rothenberger, Kentwood, sr. — Played first and third for the Conquerors and hit in the heart of the order for a Kentwood team that reached the 4A state tournament semifinals, hitting .455 with eight home runs, nine stolen bases, 27 RBI and 32 runs scored. Baylor commit.

Kyra Smith, Puyallup, jr. — Two-time 4A SPSL first-teamer paced Puyallup to a 4A District 3/4 championship and third-place finish at the 4A state tournament, hitting .495 with 50 runs scored, 12 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs and 40 RBI. Colorado State commit is a two-time TNT All-Area pick.

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.

OUTFIELDERS

Malia Coit, Peninsula, jr. — Played second base and outfield and caught fire in the postseason, hitting eight of her 13 total home runs in the 3A District 3/4 and 3A state tournaments for the 3A state champion Seahawks. On the season, hit .542 with 13 home runs, 14 stolen bases and 37 RBI.

Kyla Cross, Bonney Lake, sr. — 3A PCL player of the year with .467 with 11 doubles, five triples, 16 home runs, six stolen bases, 53 runs and 53 RBI. Two-time TNT All-Area selection. Linfield commit.

Lauryn Krick, Puyallup, sr. — Contributed in multiple ways for the Vikings, who took third place in the 4A state tournament. Hit .368 with nine doubles, a triple, six home runs, 35 runs scored and 40 RBI. As a pitcher, posted a 1.55 ERA with 109 strikeouts.

Tori Trotter, Timberline, sr. — Mostly played catcher for the Blazers this season out of positional need, but also played some left field and projects as an outfielder at the next level. Hit .450 with six doubles, three triples, seven home runs, 16 walks, 26 RBI and 29 runs scored. Howard commit.

After cleanly fielding a ground ball, Gig Harbor shortstop Riley Peschek makes an off-balance throw across the diamond in hopes of getting an out at first base during a 3A South Sound Conference game against Peninsula on Monday, April 17, 2023, at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Wash.
After cleanly fielding a ground ball, Gig Harbor shortstop Riley Peschek makes an off-balance throw across the diamond in hopes of getting an out at first base during a 3A South Sound Conference game against Peninsula on Monday, April 17, 2023, at Peninsula High School in Gig Harbor, Wash.

DESIGNATED PLAYER

Riley Peschek, Gig Harbor, sr. — Few players in the state could mash the softball like Peschek did this spring. The 3A SSC MVP and Tides’ shortstop hit .574 with 19 doubles, 13 home runs, four triples and 56 RBI. Two-time TNT All-Area selection. Montana commit.

UTILITY

Riley McGee, Sumner, jr. — Did a little bit of everything for Sumner — pitched, played third base, shortstop and catcher. Hit .543 with seven home runs, 23 RBI, 34 runs and five stolen bases. In the circle, posted a 3.60 ERA with 74 strikeouts.

Kailee Pearson, Cascade Christian, soph. — The two-time 1A Nisqually MVP and Cougars’ shortstop hit virtually everything thrown at her this spring, batting .736 with five home runs and 40 RBI. In the circle, held opponents to a .126 batting average and struck out 107 in 64 innings of work.

SECOND TEAM

Pitchers — Audrey Deviney, Decatur, soph.; Glory Estabrook, Peninsula, sr.; Kamdyn Hagerty, South Kitsap, jr.; Ava Heitman, Thomas Jefferson, jr.; Natalie Medalia, Silas, fr.; Izzy Welch, Puyallup, sr.; Raeden Young, Tahoma, sr.

Catchers — Mia Heigh, Auburn Mountainview, soph.; Miken Jacobsen, Orting, jr.; Kelsey Medalia, Silas, sr.; Laila Smith, Olympia, sr.

Infielders — Madison Higginbotham, Enumclaw, sr.; Brooke Jett, South Kitsap, sr.; Bella Jones, Bonney Lake, sr.; Taylor Minton, Auburn Mountainview, sr.; Kaylee Walker, Auburn Riverside, jr.; Joy Wilde, Lincoln, soph.

Outfielders — Sammy Bolton, Kentlake, sr.; Elissa Dewees, Yelm, jr.; Alyssa Hoff, Olympia, sr.; Juliana Ursino, Kentwood, jr.; Lexi Vircks, Auburn Riverside, jr.; Lauren Zinder, Silas, sr.

Designated player — Emilynn Sevaaetasi, Decatur, sr.

Utility — Laina Baker, Bonney Lake, soph.; Daniel Biehl, Gig Harbor, soph.; Emily Crimmins, Enumclaw, sr.; Alissa Hermansen, Bonney Lake, sr.; Keagan Norfleet, Rogers, jr.; Madison Walls, Fife, jr.; Alanna Wirtala, Emerald Ridge, soph.; Zoey Theophilus, Black Hills, sr.