Mark Morris softball advances to state title game

SELAH - Mark Morris softball took down Lynden 6-2 in the 2A State Fastpitch Softball Tournament semifinals on Saturday at Carlon Park. The Monarchs advanced to the state championship game. They missed out on reaching the title game last season as they fell to Port Angeles 1-0 in the semifinals.

Quality journalism doesn't happen without your help

Support local news coverage and the people who report it by subscribing to The Daily News.

"It's a big weight lifted off of my shoulders somewhat because we didn't get that last year," Mark Morris coach Chris Mejia said. "It's just a really good feeling. I'm overwhelmed right now with where we're at."

With the game tied at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning with two outs, Mikaila Warfield hit a 2-run double to put the Monarchs up for good. The junior also hit two home runs on Friday against Burlington-Edison in the quarterfinals.

Mark Morris softball: Mikaila Warfield

Mark Morris' Mikaila Warfield swings her bat during the 2A State Fastpitch Softball Tournament semifinals against Lynden on Saturday, May 23, at Carlon Park in Selah. Warfield hit a 2-run double that put the Monarchs up for good.

"She really came through this weekend," Mejia said. "She was hitting really well at districts, and it's carried over into state."

Keira McGinley hit an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth to add to lead before freshman Shailia Wild smashed a 2-run homer in the sixth to put Mark Morris up 6-1.

"That girl's a star in the making," Mejia said.

Mark Morris softball: Shailia Wild

Mark Morris' Shailia Wild swings her bat during the 2A State Fastpitch Softball Tournament semifinals against Lynden on Saturday, May 23, at Carlon Park in Selah. Wild hit a 2-run homer during the game as the Monarchs beat the Lions 6-2 to advance to the state championship game.

Lynden hit a home run in the seventh, but the Monarchs took care of business to seal the victory. Mejia described his nerves during the final inning.

"With two outs, I wanted to throw up," he said. "You want to get that out so bad."

The Lions got on the board with a home run in the first inning. Mark Morris tied the game in the third as Wild scored on a wild pitch. The freshman had an at-bat in the fifth that lasted 11 pitches. She was hit by the final pitch to get on base.

"I think I just had to stay out of my head at that at-bat," Wild said.

Wild, Makenzie Henthorn, and Megan Fugleberg also singled in the game. Henthorn struck out 13 batters and gave away three hits and 2 earned runs, both from Lynden's two home runs, during all seven innings of work in the circle.

Mark Morris softball: Makenzie Henthorn

Mark Morris' Makenzie Henthorn throws a pitch during the 2A State Fastpitch Softball Tournament semifinals against Lynden on Saturday, May 23, at Carlon Park in Selah. Henthorn struck out 13 batters and gave away three hits and 2 earned runs during all seven innings of work in the circle.

No. 1 Mark Morris (23-1) is set to play No. 2 W.F. West in the title game at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, back at Carlon Park. The Monarchs beat the Bearcats 11-0 in the district championship game, but Mejia said he won't let that affect his team's mindset.

Stay up to date on Lower Columbia news, wherever you go

Access the latest Lower Columbia news in The Daily News app that lets you select the topics that matter most to you.

"I don't take anything for granted," Mejia said. "W.F. West is a good team. We have to be committed to playing our game."

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.