Entering a new league might lead to nervousness, curiosity and other uncertainties, but as the Yelm High School softball team enters its first season in the 4A South Puget Sound League (SPSL), the Tornados expect a lot of excitement throughout the spring season.
The team is led by team leaders Austin Hitchner, Caylee Roberts, Layah Hicks and Kylie Minker. Yelm’s head coach Lindsay Walton said the 2025 Tornados will feature a lot of returning veteran athletes who boast experience on the softball field.
She said with Jennie Hendrickson being added to the mix, each of the team’s leaders brings “something different to the table.”
“They each have the same passion for the game, and I expect them all to lead this team with positivity and the ability to hold each other accountable in a respectful manner. These five seniors have shown thus far that they will bring much power to the lineup and vast defensive knowledge and skills that will aid in any situation,” Walton said. “I hope to see this senior group inspire the younger players with their work ethic and leadership skills. The five seniors have strong personalities and the desire to put in work on and off the field. Whether they are quiet or loud, they hold a position of strength and responsibility and they are ready for the challenge of leading their team to success this season with the experience they hold.”
In the 2024 season, SPSL teams Emerald Ridge, Sumner and Puyallup each reached the WIAA’s 4A state championship tournament in Richland, Washington, and Walton expects the league to be equally tough in 2025.
“The new 4A league will be tough, but facing strong teams will make us rise to the occasion, and I believe there is no opponent this year that we can overlook,” Walton said. “Facing good competition always keeps you more mentally focused and in the game, so we have to make each pitch, inning, and swing count.”
Though the SPSL is full of strong competition, Walton said the Tornados’ returning veteran players have high expectations of themselves to perform at a level that will produce wins. She believes her athletes will be ready for whatever challenges are thrown their way throughout the new season.
“I expect we will see many challenges thrown our way by our opponents, but we are mentally and physically prepared to face whatever comes our way,” Walton said.
Yelm was originally scheduled to kick off its 2025 season against non-conference opponent Prairie; however, the matchup was cancelled due to unplayable field conditions. Walton said the matchup will be rescheduled for a later date.
Despite the cancellation, Walton said in the future matchup against Prairie and in the team’s home opener on Monday, March 17, against W.F. West, both teams would challenge the Tornados in many ways, and she hopes to see her athletes rise to the occasion with a strong defensive showing and a powerful offense.
“Prairie and W.F. West are both strong programs, and I hope to see us perform at a high level for all seven innings,” Walton said. “Clean defense, quality, disciplined at-bats and minimal walks will be key to success this season.”
In the Tornados’ first matchup of the season on St. Patrick’s Day Monday, March 17, the luck swung the way of W.F. West as Yelm was defeated 9-3 behind Taylor Tobin’s pitching efforts for the Bearcats. She allowed seven hits and two earned runs across seven innings, and struck out eight batters in the process. Yelm’s Layah Hicks went 2-for-3 for the Tornados in the non-league matchup, and added two RBIs to her stat column for the season.
