Makenzie Henthorn of Mark Morris named The Columbian's All-Region softball player of the year
Makenzie Henthorn capped her high school softball career with a state championship.
It was a state title won with a walk-off grand slam by her Mark Morris teammate Shyanne Sellers to beat W.F. West.
It can't get much better than that.
Well, Henthorn could imagine a better finish.
"I would have rather have shut out W.F. West - or any team that we would have faced in the state championship game - than have three or four home runs hit off me," Henthorn said. "But overall, that was a very big team win. (My teammates) didn't get very many balls in play throughout league play. But I feel like they contributed more towards that win (for the state title) because they did. They had my back, and it was very, very big team win across the board."
Henthorn finished the season 21-1 with an 0.56 ERA, 267 strikeouts in 125 innings and four no-hitters, earning the honor of The Columbian All-Region softball player of the year.
The senior propelled Mark Morris through the regular season with shutout after shutout.
After Prairie beat her with walk-off win in the season opener on March 17, Henthorn did not allow another earned run until the state semifinal game against Lynden - a streak of 104 consecutive innings.
But Henthorn did not feel right in state championship game, allowing back-to-back-to-back home runs to W.F. West in the fourth inning, allowing the Bearcats to take a 4-0 lead.
"I haven't been hit like that in very, very long time," Henthorn said. "I was not feeling very well before the game. I was puking before the game. I don't know what it was, dehydration or whatever. But it was not a good feeling getting nuked off like that, especially because there's nothing my team can do behind me because (the balls) were going over the fence."
Yet Henthorn said the Monarchs never got down, never got discouraged.
"Most teams would give up after that third home run in a row," Henthorn said. "But my girls, my teammates, they never lost their attitude. They never lost their faith. They just kept pushing, and it showed. They just kept fighting for me, and I was fighting for them."
Home runs by Mikaila Warfield, Megan Fugleberg and Taylor Lee helped get the Monarchs tied at 5-5 heading to the seventh.
After the first three batters reached base in the bottom of the seventh, Sellers sent the ball sailing over the center-field fence for a grand slam and 9-5 victory.
"I have full faith in my team," Henthorn said. "They all work hard. And it's very relaxing knowing that all nine of my girls can hit the ball hard and go get the ball."
Henthorn will take her game next to the University of Montana, where she plans to study biology.
"The recruiting process is probably the most stressful thing I've ever been through," she said. "I'm glad I will never have to do that again."
Henthorn said once she got in contact with Montana, it made the decision much easier.
"I wanted a school where I was close to home, like drivable in a day," she said. "Montana is only eight hours away. And I also wanted a school where I could play my freshman year. ... That was very big for me. I started talking to Montana in September of my junior year, and I went in January on my official visit. It just, like, clicked for me. I just knew that it was my second home, and I'm so excited to go to do that in August."
But she'll never forget her first home and the experiences she's had over the past four seasons in Longview.
"It's been an unreal experience," she said. "Mark Morris hasn't been super competitive in the past. To help grow the program with all my best friends, my favorite teammates I've ever had, it's been really cool experience to make a name out of ourselves."
Rest of the All-Region softball team
Lauren Baker, La Center: Senior and Wagner College commit was the Trico League MVP, batting .746 with seven homers and 36 RBI.
Jaila Ellis, Heritage: Senior and Delaware State commit batted .576 with 7 homers and 37 RBI and struck out 66 batters in 56.2 innings.
Paisley Fraidenburg, Mark Morris: Sophomore was a 2A GSHL first-team catcher for state champions, hitting .566 with five homers and 35 RBI.
Kailanah Hagdahl, Kelso: Opposing pitchers liked to avoid this sophomore who belted six home runs with 22 RBI and had .518 OBP.
Abbey Hite, Ridgefield: Junior shortstop was the 2A GSHL offensive player of the year, batting .580 with 16 doubles and 36 RBI.
Audrey Jackson, Skyview: Sophomore was the 4A GSHL co-player of the year, batting .561 with 10 home runs and 30 RBI for league champs.
Ruby Lew, Columbia River: Senior and Embry Riddle commit was the 2A GSHL defensive player of the year with 2.13 ERA, batted .492.
Taylor Lies, Skyview: Senior and Central Arizona College commit was the 4A GSHL co-player of the year, batting .506 from leadoff spot.
Kylie McMaster, Seton Catholic: Freshman made an impact as the Trico League offensive player of the year, batting .483 with nine HRs, 37 RBI.
Mackenzie Moore, Prairie: Senior and Portland State commit was the 3A GSHL player of the year, leading with the bat and in the pitching circle.
Kingsley Williams, Seton Catholic: Senior and Concordia Irvine commit was team leader on a squad that reached the 1A state title game, batted .540.
Unlock all stories. Stay informed.
Starting at just $1.99/week
Become a subscriber and get unlimited access to every story, plus our ePaper and app for seamless reading anywhere. Stay informed, support local journalism, and stay connected to your community.
Subscribe today
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 7:07 AM.