Washington high school (WIAA) state softball 2023, final day: Live score updates, featured storylines and top performers

Peninsula and Snohomish register Class 3A semifinal victories at the RAC; Wesco rivals Glacier Peak, Jackson will play for Class 4A crown

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LACEY, Wash. - Western Washington University signee Alli Kimball tossed a complete-game three-hitter, striking out six - and belted the game-changing three-run home run to lead top-seeded Peninsula past No. 2 Snohomish, 4-1, on Saturday afternoon for its first state softball title in school history.

Fittingly, the game ended on Kimball snaring a line drive back to the mound for the final out as she tossed her glove up and ran toward teammates and coaches.

"She won the game," Seahawks softball coach Mike Paul said. "She threw lights-out. She caps it with a home run. Are you kidding me?"

In a 1-1 game, Hailey Ruckle led off the sixth inning with a bloop single to right field. Glory Estabrook reached on an infield error.

Two batters later, Kimball pounced on an 0-1 pitch and hit a towering fly ball to left field.

Question was - would it have enough carry to get over the left-center fence?

"At that point. I was like, 'It’s either an out or a home run,'" Kimball said.

The outfielder could not bring the fly ball back, and the ball dropped behind the fence for the decisive blow.

CLASS 3A SEMIFINALS

Mike Paul couldn't stand the sight.

His Peninsula High School softball team started its first WIAA softball semifinal game like it was the first day of practice.

The Seahawks booted the ball around for a handful of errors. They immediately dug themselves a five-run hole after two innings.

Their response?

Dig back out.

Oh boy, Peninsula did just that, rallying for an 11-6 victory over 3A Metro League champion Roosevelt at the RAC.

Peninsula will play Snohomish at 2:30 p.m. Saturday for the Class 3A championship.

"Isn't it crazy?" Paul said. "Wow!"

Ninety minutes earlier, Paul sat in the dugout in disbelief.

"I was dying," he said. "Nobody shakes errors like that. But these kids are resilient."

Kimball got it going with her bat, cutting it to a 6-3 deficit with a two-run single in the second inning.

Then the Seahawks turned to the long ball.

Kallee Waage hit a two-run laser in the third inning. Then it was Mira Sonnen's turn as her two-run blast in the fifth inning tied the game at 6-6.

Three batters later, Malia Coit crushed another two-run home to straightaway center field for an 8-6 lead, and the Seahawks never looked back.

Kimball said the Peninsula batting lineup really took another step on the final 3A SSC game of the season against Gig Harbor. And that hot hitting has carried over.

"I have tons of confidence in my lineup," Kimball said. "I feel like (hitters) 1-9, we are solid."

So is the team's confidence.

"They never lost faith," Paul said.

SNOHOMISH 7, WALLA WALLA 3

Photo by Todd Milles

Cameron Sage blasted two home runs, including one to lead off the game as the 3A Wesco champions will play for a WIAA softball title for the first time since 2018.

The Panthers had four hits in their first five at-bats of the game, including Sage's solo shot, to grab a 3-0 lead. They never looked back.

"The girls are coming in … and jumping on top of it and getting those early runs.," Snohomish softball coach Patti Lande said.

Sage's second home run to right center in the fourth inning gave Snohomish a 5-3 lead.

Skyla Bristol was fantastic in the circle again, striking out 11 Walla Walla batters in her complete-game effort. She gave up just three hits.

CLASS 4A UPDATES (Live bracket)

Championship

Top-seeded Jackson built a sizable lead before a thunderstorm downpour shortened the Class 4A championship game - one that Timberwolves won 5-1 in five innings over Wesco rival Glacier Peak.

With the victory, Jackson has won three of the past four 4A titles (2018, 2019, 2023). Only Columbia River (1992, 1996, 1997) has won three state titles in a span of a decade or shorter before that.

"Pretty incredible," Jackson softball coach Kyle Peacocke said.

After coming from behind to beat host Richland in the state semifinals, Jackson jumped on the Grizzlies early, taking a 1-0 lead on Kiana Holden's RBI single in the second inning.

Then it was Allie Thomsen's turn to come up with the big hit.

Thomsen, who missed much of the season with a back injury, roped a bases-clearing, three-run double in the right-center gap that gave the Timberwolves a 5-0 lead in the fourth inning.

A short time later, a thunderstorm rolled over the area - and dumped so much rain, the fields were flooded. The game was called after five innings, and Jackson was awarded the WIAA title.

All-state pitcher Yanina Sherwood threw five innings, giving up one run but striking out six hitters. She allowed three hits.

Semifinals

Jackson 9, Richland 3: The Timberwolves erased a two-run deficit with a five-run fifth inning as Rachel Sysum hit another home run in the victory in Richland.

Leneyah Mitchell also had a triple and three RBI for Jackson.

Glacier Peak 2, Kentwood 1: Bri Titus broke a 1-1 tie with her RBI double in the sixth inning, and the Grizzles sewed up an all-4A Wesco finals with a victory over Sarah Wright and the Conquerors at Columba Playfield in Richland.

Ashleigh Wojcik tied the game at 1-1 with a run-scoring triple in the third inning.

The Grizzlies will be in their first Class 4A title game.