Look behind home plate and on one of the walls of the concession stand at Adna High School shows some painted words.
It is the hardware listed in blue of the accomplishments at state. There are a few years missing, including the Pirates’ Class 2B state title a season ago that featured heart-pounding moments and the euphoria of hosting the trophy.
Adna is attempting to add more soon-to-be painted words on the wall.
Even with the graduation of Co-C2BL MVPs’ Karlee VonMoos and Brooklyn Loose, the Pirates don’t plan on taking a step back in trying to go back-to-back in Yakima and run through the league once again.
“Our message is our older girls are going to have to start helping the coaching staff, teaching the young girls how to play this game,” Pirates coach Bruce Pocklington said. “We’re gonna have to teach a lot more to get them to play up to the standard that we expect.”
While VonMoos and Loose provided the power, this version of Adna likely won’t have that. Pocklington believes it will have to manufacture runs through average, speed and smart instincts.
What helps the Pirates is the return of all-area pitcher Ava Simms. The right-hander is coming off a season in which she won 14 games in the circle with 157 strikeouts plus roping .534 and launching six home runs.
Toledo looked the part of a team early in the preseason of a team to watch and behind the arm of Peyton Holter, its staff believes this group has some potential.
After a 15-9 record and two chances to reach state and bowing out of the District 4 tournament, most of the roster returns plus some infused youth that creates a balance that has aided a 3-0 start to the season.
Rainier, similar to the Riverhawks, put up an above .500 season and finished 7-2 in the C2BL. Its stay in the district tournament was short lived, losing two straight against Forks and Raymond/South Bend to end the season.
Keira Anderson has already kicked off her junior year with two home runs with 12 RBIs. She’s one of a handful of players back from last year’s squad.
Brooklynn Swenson is also back for the Mountaineers. Last season, she earned all-area and all-C2BL honors by hitting .541 with 40 hits and 40 RBIs.
Onalaska didn’t start the season until March 16 and fell to Ocosta, the same team that nipped the Loggers 1-0 in the district tourney, by double figures. Most of the roster is back for Onalaska.
Winlock is getting a late start to the season compared to its other C2BL foes as the Cardinals will face Chief Leschi in a doubleheader on Friday, March 22.
Morton-White Pass struggled last year to piece together wins in the league and on the season. Its two primary goals are to show growth and have fun.
Pe Ell/Willapa Valley compete in the Pacific 2B league and will be going for another league title. It qualified for state and was one win away from a top-four finish.
