WIAA Class 4A, 2A softball roundup: Jackson (4A), North Kitsap (2A) conquer brackets East to collect state championships

Rain or shine, Jackson High School always seems to be ready for the biggest moments in WIAA softball.

That was proven yet again Saturday at Columbia Playfields in Richland.

The top-seeded Timberwolves built a sizable lead before a thunderstorm downpour shortened the Class 4A championship game - one that Jackson won 5-1 in five innings over Wesco rival Glacier Peak.

With the victory, Jackson has won three of the past four 4A titles (2018, 2019, 2023). Only Columbia River (1992, 1996, 1997) has won three state titles in a span of a decade or shorter before that.

"Pretty incredible," Jackson softball coach Kyle Peacocke said.

After coming from behind to beat host Richland in the state semifinals, Jackson jumped on the Grizzlies early, taking a 1-0 lead on Kiana Holden's RBI single in the second inning.

Then it was Allie Thomsen's turn to come up with the big hit.

Thomsen, who missed much of the season with a back injury, roped a bases-clearing, three-run double in the right-center gap that gave the Timberwolves a 5-0 lead in the fourth inning.

"Coming into this weekend, I had her in No. 2 spot (in the batting order) and she had been struggling," Peacocke said. "But I told my coaching staff, 'That is where she is batting.' I told them she was going to get a big hit at an important moment."

After McKellen Hamilton's RBI double cut it to 5-1 for Glacier Peak in the fourth inning, suddenly a storm came into the area, forcing the teams to vacate the field and hang out in the nearby gymnasium.

Peacocke assumed there would be a short delay and the two teams would go back and finish the game.

That is, until a game official opened the door, giving players and coaches from both teams a glimpse of what was happening.

"It was dumping rain," Peacocke said. "We looked at the field and knew it was going to be over.

"It was a strange way to find out that you are state champions."

All-state pitcher Yanina Sherwood threw five innings, giving up one run but striking out six hitters. She allowed three hits.

CLASS 2A CHAMPIONSHIP: North Kitsap 8, Ridgefield 1

There's something special about watching a collective group accomplish something great.

That is what Vikings coach Clay Blackwood did all spring, including this WIAA tournament at Carlon Park in Selah.

North Kitsap never trailed in four games and outscored its four opponents, 35-2, and completed a historic undefeated season with a title-game victory over the 2A GSHL champions.

"The kids buy into what you are doing and contribute in little ways," Blackwood said. "The little things matter.

"This is really, really special."

In the 2A title game Saturday, the Vikings had to wiggle out of one serious jam in the second inning.

Trying to protect a 2-1 North Kitsap lead, sophomore pitcher Reese Anderson loaded the bases with all walks in the second inning.

Blackwood stayed in the dugout, giving his ace pitcher every opportunity to pull through - which she did with an inning-ending strikeout.

"You never feel good because that is a great hitting team over there," Blackwood said. But getting that last hitter there to shut the door on them was huge."

Kasey Wallace crushed a solo home in the third inning to push North Kitsap's lead to 3-1 - and Mackenzie Phillips and Cerenity Fake added late-game blasts to seal up the school's first state softball crown.

"Absolutely this is a special season," Blackwood said. "Who would have thought this? I knew we had tons of talent, but building that team aspect and balance was huge.

"To go undefeated is unbelievable."