'Our year to shine': Kelso tops Shelton to earn 3A District softball title, state berth

May 15-For the Kelso High softball team, reaching the postseason was already an accomplishment. But earning a berth into next weekend's Class 3A state tournament turned that opportunity into something even bigger.

"What makes it more special is we're going in as district champs," senior Brooke Hefley said after the Hilanders' 10-4 district-title game win over Shelton on Friday at Heritage High School. "We took advantage of the way they switched up districts and when we saw how the bracket was, we knew it was our year to shine and get that No. 1 spot."

This school year, team sports in the 3A Greater St. Helens League advanced in the postseason through their own district-only postseason format, rather than traditionally combining with District 3 for a bi-district tournament.

Heritage is the host of the 3A District tournament, which began Friday and concludes Saturday. Shelton, a 3A school playing in the 2A Evergreen Conference, earned its way into the tournament by topping Mountain View in Wednesday's play-in game. Then Friday, Shelton upset top-seed Prairie, 8-6, to face Kelso in the district championship nightcap.

The Highclimbers kept that momentum going early on, taking a 4-2 lead on Kelso following a three-run second inning.

Kelso's Kylie Killett, who pitched a complete-game against Heritage in the semifinal 10-1 win behind Kai Hagdahl's two home runs and six RBI, pitched four scoreless innings in relief. She allowed two hits and struck out five against Shelton.

She entered the game in the fourth inning of a 4-4 game as Kelso's third pitcher of the game. How that mentality shifts coming in the game in relief was an easy one for Killett.

"Just knowing I have a job to do ... and trusting my girls," she said.

Plus, a six-run half-inning spark by the offense certainly eased Killett's stress in the circle.

"It's always such a relief having a good lead," Killett added.

In the sixth inning, momentum swung for Kelso. It opened the frame by putting two runners on base, then loaded the bases twice - including after Shelton intentionally walked No. 3 hitter Kailanah Hagdahl, who had already homered earlier in the game.

The next hitter was Hefley, who sent a shot to centerfield for a bases-clearing triple as she slid head-first into third base. She later scored on an Avery Mackin (3 for 4, 2 RBI) single.

"The moment I saw they intentionally walked (Hagdahl)," Hefley said, "I knew I had a job to do and had to get the runners home. I executed that play."

Shelton hosts Prairie at 1 p.m. Saturday in a winner-to-state game.

As the calendar flips to another stage of the postseason, Killett commended her and her teammates' energy, adding that she's seen a different level at districts she hopes continues at state.

"It's great to see the girls fully engaged the entire game and bring another level of energy that we haven't had before."

And now, another level begins at state next week at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey.

Said Killett: "A big group of our girls, we've played together since we were little. So it's really cool to see us really fully develop together and accomplish things like be a district champion."

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KELSO 10, SHELTON 4

Shelton 130 000 0-4 8 2

Kelso 202 000 6-10 10 0

Shelton

Pitching - Gouley 2.1 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 2 K; Rix 3.2 IP, 4 H, 6 ER, 3 BB. Highlights - Lee 2-3, R; RIx 1-2, R; Tyler 2-4, 2B, 3 RBI.

Kelso

Pitching - Chapin 2 IP, 4 H, 4 ER, 4 BB, 5 K; Hooper 1 IP, 2 H; Kylie Killett 4 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K. Highlights - Harlee Barnes 1-4, 2 R, RBI; Kai Hagdahl 2-2, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; Brooke Hefley 1-4, R, 3 RBI; Avery Mackin 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI.

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