Chiawana is determined to defend its 4A WA softball title. 7 teams stand in their way

What does Chiawana’s head softball coach, Brian Thomas, want his team to get out of this weekend’s WIAA 4A state slowpitch softball tournament — especially since the Riverhawks are the defending state champions?

“I’m trying to keep it as fun as possible for the girls as we can,” said Thomas, whose team is 20-2.

“I’ve told them that 20 years from now, they’ll have the memories and experiences (from this coming weekend). So have fun. Have a good time. We want to have a fun experience.”

Thomas said the team has gotten a number of people coming up to it, almost expecting the Riverhawks to repeat last year’s state title.

But it’s easier said than done.

“(Winning a state championship) looks easy from the outside,” Thomas admits.

The Riverhawks are seeded No. 1 in the field.

But getting there is a big part of the journey, and there are seven other teams in the field that are expecting to earn that crown.

The 4A field consists of Bothell, Central Valley, Chiawana, Moses Lake, North Creek, Union, West Valley of Yakima, and Woodinville.

It all begins at 10 a.m. Friday at the Gateway Sports Complex in Yakima with the four first-round games. Semifinals are scheduled for later in the day, and the state championship is set for 2 p.m. Saturday.

Thomas sees a lot of similarities in this year’s team compared to the 2021 state title team.

“I think last year we had a little more of a powerful lineup,” he said. “But this year’s team has more speed and consistency. And the chemistry is just as good as last year’s team.”

Offensively, the Riverhawks average 15 runs a game, and they surrender an average of 4 per contest.

And the defense, which is so important in slowpitch softball, has been key.

“We probably have our fastest outfield ever out there,” Thomas said. “And our infield is solid. These kids have a little fight in them.”

Case in point: Moses Lake.

In September, the Mavericks handed the Riverhawks what would be their only two losses of the season so far in a 4-2, 7-6 sweep.

But three weeks later, Chiawana returned the favor, sweeping Moses Lake 9-8 and 11-10.

The two teams may see each other again sometime this weekend.

Thomas brings to Yakima this lineup: Daniela Balderas, Emma Dodson, Madison French, Gabriela Garza, Ebany Gomez, Kennedy McBride, Alyssa Melendez, Jessica Melendez, Samantha Melendez, Leah North, Adriana Rodriguez, Emily Torres, McKayla Trevino, Marisa Valdez, Marty Woolf, and Estella Zaro.

Chiawana opens against No. 8 North Creek at 10 a.m. Friday.

▪ The 2A/3A state tournament is also being held in Yakima at the same complex.

The eight-team field consists of Juanita, Kelso, Lake Washington, Mead, Mt. Spokane, RA Long, University and Walla Walla.

The Blue Devils are the No. 3 seed and will open play at noon Friday against No. 6 Kelso.

University enters as the top seed.

NWAC volleyball

Just five days after its head coach, DiShondra Goree, passed away from natural causes, the Columbia Basin College volleyball team swept Walla Walla 3-0 on the road.

That gives the Hawks a 24-1 overall record.

Girls soccer

The first round in the District 8 girls soccer tournament — involving the Mid-Columbia Conference and the Greater Spokane League — was held Tuesday.

In the 4A tournament, Richland beat Pasco 5-0; Lewis & Clark topped Chiawana 3-1; Kamiakin belted Central Valley 5-1; and Gonzaga Prep beat Hanford 6-0.

The winners bracket semifinals are set Saturday, with Richland hosting Lewis & Clark at 1 p.m.; and Kamiakin at Gonzaga Prep at 1 p.m.

In the 3A tournament, Southridge stopped University 2-0; Ridgeline blanked Hermiston 8-0; Mt. Spokane beat Walla Walla 2-0; and Mead a shut out Cheney 2-0.

Saturday’s semifinals pit Ridgeline at Southridge at noon; and Mt Spokane playing Mead at Union Stadium at 1 p.m.

Cross country

The MCC and GSL schools get together Saturday at Veterans Memorial Golf Course in Walla Walla for the District 8 meet, which determines our region’s state cross country competitors.

The race times are as follows: 3A girls at 1 p.m., 4A girls at 1:30 p.m., 3A boys at 2 p.m., 4A boys at 2:30 p.m.

The top three teams in each race will advance to the state championships, which are set for Nov. 5 at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.

Southeast 1B football

Liberty Christian, now 8-0, has a bye this weekend as the 8-man league enters its final two weeks of regular-season play.

The Patriots pounded Pomeroy 54-20 last week, as senior Keegan Bishop continues to do damage at quarterback.

Bishop passed for 179 yards and three touchdowns in the game. He also rushed for 126 yards and scored two times himself.

Sam Culver caught 6 passes for LC for 164 yards and three touchdowns.

The Patriots finish the regular season by playing host to rival DeSales on Nov. 4.

Southeast 1B

Liberty Christian 7-0 SE, 8-0 overall

DeSales 6-0, 7-0

Sunnyside Christian 5-2, 6-2

Pomeroy 4-2, 6-2

St. John-Endicott/Lacrosse 3-3, 4-3

Touchet 2-4, 2-5

Tekoa-Rosalia 1-5, 1-6

Garfield-Palouse 0-6, 0-7

Yakama National Tribal 0-6, 0-8

Friday, Oct. 21

DeSales 2, Tekoa-Rosalia 0, forfeit

Garfield-Palouse bye

Liberty Christian 54, Pomeroy 20

Sunnyside Christian 46, St. John-Endicott/Lacrosse 14

Touchet 69, Yakama Nation Tribal 0

Friday, Oct. 28

DeSales at Garfield-Palouse, 3 p.m.

Liberty Christian bye

Pomeroy at Sunnyside Christian, 7 p.m.Tekoa-Rosalia vs. Yakama National Tribal, cancelled

Touchet at St. John-Endicott/Lacrosse, 7 p.m.