Yelm softball picks up “much needed” win over Bethel as postseason looms

Prior to entering the final week of the regular season, Yelm High School’s softball team was able to pick up a “much needed” 10-0 victory against South Puget Sound League south division opponent Bethel on Friday, April 25.

Behind the bat of Jocelyn Lintz and the pitching of Mallory Hoke, Yelm was able to shut out its divisional rival on Friday to pick up some momentum. Lintz led Yelm offensively with a 3-for-4 day, which included three RBIs. Hoke picked up the victory for Yelm — surrendering just three hits and walking one batter in the divisional contest. She also struck out five batters.

Yelm’s head coach Lindsay Walton, following the win, said the team’s goal is to finish top six in the SPSL, as the top six teams in the league automatically qualify for the district tournament. The win against Bethel was a step in the right direction for the Tornados, as prior to the contest the team was riding a four-game losing skid.

“The win against Bethel was much needed,” Walton said. “We capitalized on errors and Mallory Hoke was solid on the mound through six innings throwing 59 total pitches, striking out five, walking one, and only allowing three hits. It was a win that puts us one step closer to qualifying for districts as the top six teams earn that automatic berth for the district tournament and just play for seeding in the league tournament. Our goal is to finish in the top six.”

As of Monday, April 28, YHS has a 9-9 record (8-6 SPSL) and was in possession of the six seed in the league. Walton said as long as the Tornados win their final two games of the regular season against Spanaway Lake and Bonney Lake, the team shouldn’t finish any lower than sixth. Yelm can move up to the five seed if Puyallup loses two out of its three final games — and the Tornados will host the Vikings in the SPSL league tournament game, with the higher seed set to host.

“We are hoping to get our offensive game back on track and get those timely hits to push in runs. We want quality at-bats and solid hits,” Walton said. “Our pitchers have also been setting goals to lower total walks and they have been meeting those goals.”

Following the conclusion of the regular season after Yelm’s matchup with Bonney Lake on Thursday, May 1, the Tornados will play in the SPSL league tournament on Tuesday, May 6, and Thursday, May 8, And if the team walks into the tournament as a top six seed, it will automatically qualify for districts the following week. The district tournament is set for Friday, May 16, and Saturday, May 17, at Kent Service Fields.

“Right now, it looks like Puyallup is most likely going to be our opponent if we win our last two games. Eight teams will move into the district tournament out of 10 teams in our league tournament,” Walton said. “We love seeing the support from families, friends and the community at our games so keep coming out.”

Nearing the conclusion of the team’s inaugural season in the 4A SPSL, Walton said the biggest lesson the Tornados have learned this season is that they “can compete with some really strong teams.”

“We play our best when we are having fun and staying positive along with scoring early and being able to answer back when runs are scored against us.The mental side to this game is huge and we have made it a focus after our loss to Olympia last week that we are going to focus on the positives not only shown by the entire team, but individually as well,” Walton said. “The girls come up with one positive aspect of their own individual performance they are going to focus on to help the team and then we share a positive at the end regardless of the outcome. I think it has really helped us keep that positive outlook even when the game gets tight. Visualization has also been key to each athlete’s performance and many girls are finding positive results if done regularly.”

Results of the SPSL south division matchup against Spanaway Lake on Tuesday, April 29, were not readily available in time for the Nisqually Valley News’s weekly deadline. Yelm’s final game of the regular season is set for 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, at Bonney Lake High School.