Southwest District smack: Tumwater belts four home runs and routs No. 1 Othello for first WIAA Class 2A softball title

SELAH, Wash. – Out to prove the Southwest District still owns the Class 2A diamond, the Tumwater High School softball team hammered home the point.

Over and over again.

The sixth-seeded Thunderbirds launched four home runs and used a four-run rally in the bottom of the sixth to trigger the mercy rule and beat No. 1 Othello, 13-3, to claim the championship Saturday afternoon at Carlon Park.

Tumwater wasted no time getting its high-powered offense going with ninth grade catcher and clean-up hitter Jaime Haase launching a three-run home in the bottom of the first inning for a 3-0 lead.

After two innings of dormancy, the Thunderbirds revved up again with Aly Waltermeyer smacking a two-run shot in the fourth for the first of her two home runs.

"Aly’s been that spark plug for us all year, and especially in the state tournament," Tumwater coach Ashley Andrews said.

Thunderbirds ninth grade pitcher Ella Ferguson helped her own cause in the fifth with a three-run homer before Waltermeyer added a solo round-tripper.

"It’s just icing on the cake, we’ve worked so hard for everything," Waltermeyer said. "Being Tumwater, everybody’s goal is to beat us so we had to work that much harder."

Ferguson scattered seven hits to earn the victory. The Huskies couldn’t muster more than a run in any inning.

"Ella’s the best pitcher in our league, and I think she’s the best pitcher in the state," Andrews said.

The Thunderbirds put the victory away in the sixth inning without the benefit of a long ball.

Scout Abbott provided the big hit with a two-run double. She eventually scored the final run on a passed ball.

The Thunderbirds, who claimed their first 2A championship, finished fourth in the 2019 tournament. The 2020 season was canceled because of the pandemic and teams were limited to district play in 2021.

"I think any team that lost two years basically was just hungry to: 1. Play; and 2. Just compete your butt off for every single pitch," Andrews said.

The victory keeps the championship in the Southwest District four the fourth consecutive tournament. Woodland won the 2109 and 2018 championships, while W.F. West won the crown in 2017.

"That was important to us to keep it in southwest Washington," Andrews said. "We felt a little disrespected for the seed we got so that was in the back of our minds every game, for sure."

Natalie Martinez and Maya Valdez each homered for the Huskies (24-2), who captured the last of their four 2A titles in 2016.