Othello softball seeks elusive state crown

OTHELLO — There are many ways to measure success, but for senior-dominated Othello fast-pitch the one goal they have sought — a state championship trophy — has so far proven elusive.

Qualifying for state has become an expectation for the Huskies as the team has secure a berth every year except two since they started playing fast-pitch in 1995.

For seniors Diamond Franco, Hadassi Valdez, Cayleen Garza, Kirsten Quigley, Madison Martinez, Jacki Garza and Lidi DeLeon it is now or never in the quest for a state title.

As freshmen, the girls dropped their opening game at state and then won five straight games in the consolation bracket to place third. As sophomores, they lost the title game to Lake Washington 4-0 to earn a second place trophy. Last year as juniors, the Huskies lost 5-1 to W. F. West (Chehalis) in the semifinal round and then won two consolation games to place third. The seniors know they won’t get another chance to be crowned state champions — this is their year.

The Huskies lost starting second baseman Karissa Valdez and catcher Sofia Rodriguez and back-up first baseman Brenda Fleshman to graduation.

The outfield returns intact: DeLeon in left, Franco in center and Valdez in right. Quigley returns at shortstop, Madison Martinez at third and Nikki Martinez at first. The Huskies are experienced and battle tested at the state level.

“Hitting, as of right now, is our strength. We are hitting the ball well,” head coach Rudy Ochoa said. “And experience. We have the whole outfield coming back. Third and short are back and we have two strong pitchers and a catcher — that is all experience.”

The two returning pitchers, Madison Martinez and Nikki Martinez, combined to produce a 17-3 record last year. Mariah DeLeon is expected to take over behind the plate. Underclassmen are competing for the open spot at second and to fill-in at third when Madison Martinez is pitching and at first when Nikki Martinez is on the mound.

Sophomore Audisey Sauceda is penciled in at first and freshmen Janissa Garza, Ebany Guzman, Malayah Sauceda and Rilee Heist are in the running for infield positions.

Ochoa and assistant Mike Jensen think there will be a four-way battle for supremacy in the CWAC this year. Since Selah, Ellensburg and Prosser dropped down from 3A into the 2A CWAC league in 2006, the top three teams in softball have been Othello, Selah and Ellensburg — in some order. East Valley replaced Selah in 2007 and Othello in 2008 as a state qualifier and both Othello coaches think East Valley will be in the running this year.

“East Valley will be tough,” Ochoa said. “It is going to be four teams: Selah, Ellensburg, East Valley and us.”

Othello lost less to graduation than the other contenders for the league title. Selah graduated five seniors, including its catcher and all the infielders except first base. Pitcher Maddy Zerr returns (16-4, two losses to W. F. West, one to Othello and one to Ellensburg). Like Selah, Ellensburg graduated the heart of their defense: catcher, second, third and short plus two outfielders. The Bulldogs do return sophomore pitcher Carissa Burgess who may be as good as any pitcher Othello will face this year. The two dominant pitchers at the state tournament — W.F. West’s Ali Graham and White River’s Kayla Smith — both graduated.

East Valley was 13-7 last year with two losses to Othello, Selah and Ellensburg and one to Walla Walla. The Red Devils had no seniors last year. The squad included nine juniors and nine sophomores. Many of the juniors started as freshmen.

Since their freshmen year, the senior softball players have been successful. Placing in the top three at state the past three years has been a great accomplishment. Bringing home a state crown in this, their last go around, would be a grand way to wrap up their high school career.