Vote now for The News Tribune's Girls Athlete of the Week (May 12 to 17)
The poll is located below. You can read about all of the candidates and their accomplishments below.
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Want to nominate a South Sound high school athlete in the future? Email reporter Jon Manley (jon.manley@thenewstribune.com) or Tyler Wicke (twicke@thenewstribune.com) or send a direct message on Twitter/X (@manley_tnt or @WickeTyler) with the athlete's first and last name, school, year, position and a stat line from game(s) during the past week. Nominations must be submitted by 5 p.m. Sunday.
Madison Aidar, Rogers softball — Drove in four runs on two hits, including a grand slam to center field in the third inning of Rogers' 15-0 win over Olympia on Saturday, clinching a 4A state tournament berth for the Rams.
Dani Biehl, Gig Harbor softball — At the plate, went 2-for-3 with a walk and a run scored in 4-1 win over Prairie in 3A District 3/4 semifinals on Saturday. On the mound, tossed seven innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, a walk and striking out six.
Brynna Erdmann, Auburn Mountainview softball — Drove in four runs on four hits, including a three-run home run and a double in 16-5 win over White River on Saturday, clinching a 3A state tournament berth for the Lions.
Ella Ferguson, Tumwater softball — Sacramento State signee threw a complete-game two-hitter (16 K) and drove in three runs at the plate to lift Tumwater over W.F. West, 8-2, in Thursday's district semifinals.
Madelyn Gilmore, Timberline softball — Freshman threw 6.2 sensational frames in Thursday's 3-2 playoff win over Auburn Mountainview that clinched a 3A state berth, allowing three hits and two runs (0 ER) with three walks and 10 strikeouts.
Alyssa Harris, Enumclaw softball — Senior right-hander dominated Gig Harbor in Saturday's district championship game, striking out 16 and retiring the game's first 14 batters. Harris allowed four hits and three earned runs without a walk in Enumclaw's 8-3 title win.
Austin Hitchner, Yelm softball — In 7-2 win over Rogers, Hitchner threw seven innings, allowing eight hits, two runs (one earned), walking two and striking out 10. At the plate, went 1-for-2 with two RBI, two walks and two runs scored, clinching a state tournament berth for the Tornados.
Jessika Jennings, Graham-Kapowsin softball — Senior right-hander defused a talented Emerald Ridge lineup over seven strong innings (6 H, 4 ER, 6 BB, 15 K) and went 3-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, two home runs, and four RBI in Friday's district quarterfinals.
Izzy Michaels, Peninsula softball — Seahawks freshman went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Saturday's elimination game, helping Peninsula rally from a 6-1 deficit to beat Auburn Mountainview, 10-8, and clinch a 3A state berth. Michaels is hitting .464 this season.
Alyssa Neal, Enumclaw softball — The Hornets center fielder's walk-off, inside-the-park home run lifted Enumclaw over the 10-run limit in Thursday's playoff win over Peninsula, 11-1, and secured a 3A state-tournament berth. Neal went 3-for-5 with a home run, two doubles, and five RBI.
Ava Puttler, Emerald Ridge softball — Drove in four runs on two hits in 8-2 win over Puyallup on Saturday, clinching a 4A state tournament berth for the Jaguars.
Alexa Ramirez, Tahoma softball — Sophomore pitcher struck out 11 batters in Friday's district quarterfinal win over Olympia, 8-4, securing Tahoma's first state-tournament berth since 2019.
Kiley Sledge, Franklin Pierce softball — Cardinals sophomore hit a two-run homer (1-for-3, 2 RBI) and threw three shutout relief innings to earn the save in Saturday's must-win game over Fife, 8-1, that clinched a 2A state tournament berth.
Madelyn Stanaway, Rogers softball — Went 2-for-2 with five RBI, a walk and a pair of runs scored in Rogers' 15-0 win over Olympia on Saturday, clinching a 4A state tournament berth for the Rams.
Alanna Wirtala, Emerald Ridge softball — The senior's two-run complete game (13 K) in Saturday's elimination game carried the reigning 4A runners-up back to the state tournament. Wirtala added an RBI single in the first inning.
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