Yelm High School’s softball program has seen an abundance of offensive successes throughout the season, as the midway point of the season shrinks in the rearview mirror. Sitting 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the South Sound Conference, the Tornados can control their own destiny to secure the SSC’s top seed entering the postseason.
Winners of five consecutive contests and boasting a 9-2 record, 6-1 in SSC, the Tornados will play a rematch against the only team to defeat them in conference action, the Timberline Blazers. The series finale took place Tuesday, April 23 at Timberline High School. The Blazers previously defeated the Tornados, 7-2, on March 28. Results of the season finale between the SSC rivals were not available prior to the Nisqually Valley News going to print.
“Tuesday is going to be an important game that will define league standings more than they are currently,” Yelm’s head coach Lindsay Walton said last week. “Our team goal is to play clean defense, be solid on the mound with fewer walks, and if we get runners on to score them. I think we are more confident this time around and will give Timberline a better game. We just can’t beat ourselves.”
Since the loss on March 28, Yelm has defeated North Thurston, 16-4, Capital, 22-3, Central Kitsap, 14-4, River Ridge, 11-8, and Shelton, 28-5. In the team’s nine victories in the 2024 season, Yelm averaged 16.33 runs. In the team’s two defeats, the Tornados have averaged just two runs.
Prior to the matchup with the Blazers, Yelm most recently defeated the Shelton Highclimbers, 28-5. Throughout the contest, the Tornados offense mustered hits nearly at will. Senior Elissa Dewees, who appeared at second base and center field in the contest, led the team in total bases with seven. She went 4-6 at the plate and collected four RBIs.
Like Dewees, junior third baseman Caylee Roberts collected four hits throughout her day. She went 4-5, including three RBIs. The Tornados totaled 18 hits as a team and collected 20 RBIs as a unit. Roberts, Dewees and Kamille Kautz each scored four runs apiece to lead the team.
Riley Smith earned the victory for the Tornados after she started and pitched two innings. She struck out two batters, walked three and allowed one run. She was relieved by pitcher Madisyn Erickson, who struck out eight batters, walked four and allowed four runs on one hit during her three innings pitched.
The Tornados have four batters posting impressive batting averages, as Dewees, through 42 plate appearances, has an average of .595. She’s followed by her teammate Erickson, who sports a .553 batting average through 38 at-bats. Caylee Roberts, through 37 at-bats, posts a .541 average, while Kautz, through 40 appearances, boasts a .500 average.
“The girls step up to the plate each at-bat ready to hit and have a quality at-bat. They attack early but are also patient to hit their pitch. Hitting is contagious, so the more we can have those types of innings the better,” Walton said. “We work lots of reps offensively and defensively at each practice and situations so we won’t be surprised by anything come game time. We are also taking things one game at a time and trying to bring the same level of intensity to every game.”
Following the matchup with Timberline, Yelm returns to action at 3:30 p.m. on Monday, April 29, against the Capital Cougars. It will play three-consecutive games following the contest against the Cougars. The team will travel to Peninsula High School for a 3:30 p.m. matchup with the Seahawks on Tuesday, April 30, before hosting the Gig Harbor Tides at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1. The four-game stretch will conclude at 4 p.m., Thursday, May 2, against the North Thurston Rams at South Sound Stadium.
“Every game is important and the closer we get to the postseason, the more important it is to finish strong and with a level of confidence in each other to keep momentum on our side,” Walton said. “Depending on Tuesday’s outcome, finishing (first) or (second) in league will be significant for district seeding. In order to make this happen, we have to play cleanly and score often.”
