SOFTBALL: STATE TOURNAMENT GLANCE
HIGHLAND Record: 23-3 Coach: Tisha Coverdell (21st season) Road to state: The top-seeded Rams won their three District 5-6 tournament games by a combined score of 31-2. Downed No. 5 seed Bonneville 14-1 in the title game. Last state championship: None At the plate: Valley City State-bound senior Kiana Harmon leads the Rams in average (.603), hits (41) and home runs (5). In the circle: Kara Grover, who has signed to play at Salt Lake Community College, boasts a 14-1 record with an impressive 1.08 ERA. The senior has fanned 163 batters and walked just 16. The 2016 Idaho State Journal Player of the Year looks to bring her program its first state title. Noteworthy: Among Highland’s college-bound players is infielder Ashlyn Winn, who has signed with North Idaho College.
LAKE CITY Record: 20-2 ( Coach: Jesse Lenz (third year) Road to state: Top-seeded Timberwolves beat No. 4 seed Lewiston 8-2 in Region I semifinal before beating No. 2 seed Coeur d'Alene 3-2 in title game. Last state championship: 2013 In the circle: Of the 364 batters sophomore Ashley Kaufman (13-1, 1.74 ERA) has faced this season, she's walked just 14 while striking out 78. At the plate: Olivia Zufelt (.516) and Haley Loffer (.452) lead the young, ever-balanced Lake City offense with 33 hits each. Reilly Williams leads the club in RBIs (30) and home runs (6). Noteworthy: The Timberwolves, who start five sophomores, committed just 20 errors in the regular season.
MERIDIAN WARRIORS
Record: 19-7
Coach: Tom Pinkley (11th season)
Road to state: District III tournament runner-up. Fifth-seeded Warriors beat Rocky Mountain (7-5) and Boise (12-2) before falling to Eagle 2-1 in title game.
Last state title: None
In the circle: Sophomore Jordyn Miller (11-6, 3.54 ERA) has fanned 102 hitters in 110 innings.
At the plate: On a team with a combined 39 homers, Lexi Knauss is tops with 11. The Montana-bound infielder also leads Meridian in average (.551), hits (49) and RBIs (42).
Noteworthy: Meridian standouts Knauss (Montana), Keana Reyes-Burke (Hawaii-Hilo), Devon Stapleton (North Idaho) and Shea Anderson (CC Spokane) have all signed to play in college.
EAGLE MUSTANGS
Record: 25-2
Coach: Nicole Rollins (second year)
Road to state: The second-seeded Mustangs downed Mountain View (11-3) and Capital (6-3) before tripping up Meridian in the tournament title game.
Last state title: 2016
In the circle: BYU-bound hurler Autumn Moffat (13-1, 1.63 ERA) has 125 strikeouts and just 21 walks in Idaho’s deepest conference. Gabi Peters (8-1, 1.35 ERA) who has committed to Boise State, is another formidable arm.
At the plate: Eagle has blasted a whopping 42 home runs this season. Portland State signee Rachel Menlove (.476 BA) leads the high-powered offense with 10 dingers and 53 RBI. Hailey Fisher, a first baseman, has signed with Weber State.
Noteworthy: A year after being named the country’s top prep softball team by MaxPreps.com, Eagle is looking to win its third straight 5A state softball title. The Mustangs have seven state titles to their name since 2000.
BOISE BRAVES
Record: 20-7
Coach: Brian Barber (ninth season)
Road to state: The top-seeded Braves defeated Lewiston 4-0 in a state play-in game, earning District III’s fifth and final berth into the state tournament.
Last state title: None.
In the circle: Eden Cook (12-3, 2.29 ERA), a junior and Portland State commit, was instrumental in leading the Braves to the top of the Southern Idaho Conference.
At the plate: Boise has five players with 30 or more hits, led by sophomore Karsyn Zaragoza (.493 BA)
Noteworthy: The Braves, who don’t have a senior on their roster, were picked seventh in SIC preseason coaches poll before winning a conference title.
ROCKY MOUNTAIN GRIZZLIES
Record: 17-7
Coach: Brian White (first year)
Road to state: The fourth-seeded Grizzlies earned District III’s third berth to state by beating Capital 6-3 in the third-place game.
Last state title: None
In the circle: Katelyn Wilfert, a first-team all-5A SIC pitcher, is the Grizzlies’ leading arm with 14-4 record and 2.84 ERA.
At the plate: Sophomore Katelyn Walker leads Rocky in hits (28), RBIs (24) and home runs (6).
Noteworthy: Tragedy struck the program last week when Rocky Mountain’s freshman infielder Kate Marshall passed away Friday. A cause of death has not been determined. Rocky, last year’s 5A runner-up, will be playing in Marshall’s honor, wearing wristbands with name.
BONNEVILLE BEES
Record: 9-16
Coach: Dennie Edwards
Road to state: In the District 5-6 tournament, fifth-seeded Bonneville upset Madison and Hillcrest before falling to No. 1 seed Highland 14-1 in the title game.
Last state title: None.
Noteworthy: The Bees finished last in their five-team district, winning just one conference game during the regular season. This is the program’s first-ever state softball appearance.
KUNA KAVEMEN
Record: 19-6
Coach: Joe Kleffner (18th season)
Road to state: Beat top-seeded Boise 6-5 in District III tournament third-place game.
Last state championship: 2008 in 4A
In the circle: Mickey Kleffner, the coach’s kid, was her conference’s Player of the Year last season.
Noteworthy: This is Kuna’s first year in the 5A classification and, interestingly, Kleffner has been the head coach since Kuna was a 3A in the early 2000s. The Kavemen return the bulk of their roster from last year’s 4A state tournament team.
4A
Sandpoint (11-3) carries the torch for the North for the second straight season. Before last season, the Bulldogs hadn’t qualified for state since 2003. Their coach, Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams, was a star third baseman on Sandpoint’s 2001 and ’02 state teams. Last year’s trip was a brief one for Sandpoint, as well as many other teams. After rain washed out the first day of play, tournament officials canceled the losers bracket and played an eight-team, single-elimination tourney on Saturday. Sandpoint lost a 7-6 heartbreaker to Twin Falls, and went home after one game. Middleton defeated Canyon Ridge 6-2 in the championship game. ... Sandpoint, Middleton, Canyon Ridge, Twin Falls, Pocatello and Twin Falls return from last year’s tourney. ... Middleton beat Bishop Kelly last week to win its first district title in 11 years. The Vikings had last won a district title in 2006 in 3A. ... Bishop Kelly has won seven state titles since 2001, most recently in 2015. Twin Falls won in 2014. ... A District 3 (Boise-area) school has won every state 4A title since 2001, which the exception of 2004 (Madison).
3A
Timberlake is back at state for the 18th straight season, this year through the play-in route under second-year coach Casi Reisenauer. The Tigers won the Intermountain League title, but were upset by Bonners Ferry in the District 1 championship game. Timberlake had eight games canceled this season due to weather. Still ... “we probably have the best team Timberlake has had in a while,” Reisenauer said. “We’re good all-around, good pitching, hitting, defense.” ... Bonners Ferry, which qualified for state for the first time in school history in 2015, is at state for the third straight year, and second time as a district champ. ... Homedale is the two-time defending champion, and has won three of the last four state 3A titles. ... Buhl and Teton are other teams back from last year; Buhl lost to Homedale in the title game.
2A
St. Maries qualified for state for the second straight year, and sixth time in 10 seasons under coach Todd Bitterman. St. Maries opens vs. New Plymouth, which finished fourth last year. ... Malad is the defending champion, and has won three of the last four state titles. State runner-up Melba also returns, as does Nampa Christian and Declo.
STATE TOURNAMENT SCHEDULES
Times PDT
5A
At Coeur d’Alene and
Lake City high schools
Friday, May 19
9 a.m. — Game 1, Highland (23-2) vs. Kuna (19-6) at Coeur d’Alene High
9 — Game 3, Eagle (25-2) vs. Boise (20-7) at Lake City High
11 — Game 2, Lake City (20-2) vs. Meridian (19-7) at Coeur d’Alene High
11 — Game 4, Bonneville (9-16) vs. Rocky Mountain (17-7) at Lake City High
1 p.m. — Game 5, Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, loser out at Coeur d’Alene High
1 — Game 6, Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, loser out at Lake City High
3 — Game 7, Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2 at Coeur d’Alene High
3 — Game 8, Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4 at Lake City High
5 — Game 9, Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, loser out at Coeur d’Alene High
5 — Game 10, Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, loser out at Lake City High
Saturday, May 20
At Lake City High
9:30 a.m. — Game 12, Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, loser fourth
At Coeur d’Alene High
10 a.m. — Game 11, Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, semifinal
Noon — Game 13, Loser Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, loser third
2 p.m. — Game 14, Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 13, championship
4 — If-necessary championship game if Winner Game 13 wins Game 1
4A
At Post Falls High
Friday, May 19
9 a.m. — Game 1, Pocatello (23-4) vs. Ridgevue (19-7)
9 — Game 3, Sandpoint (11-3) vs. Blackfoot (15-9)
11 — Game 2, Middleton (24-3) vs. Twin Falls (19-7)
11 — Game 4, Canyon Ridge (16-9) vs. Bishop Kelly (18-7)
1 p.m. — Game 5, Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, loser out
1 — Game 6, Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, loser out
3 — Game 7, Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
3 — Game 8, Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
5 — Game 9, Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, loser out
5 — Game 10, Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, loser out
Saturday, May 20
10 a.m. — Game 11, Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, semifinal
10 — Game 12, Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, loser fourth
Noon — Game 13, Loser Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, loser third
2 p.m. — Game 14, Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 13, championship
4 — If-necessary championship game if Winner Game 13 wins Game 14
3A
At Buhl
Friday, May 19
8 a.m. — Game 1, Bonners Ferry vs. Buhl (16-11)
8 — Game 3, Teton vs. Weiser (12-13)
10 — Game 2, Marsh Valley (17-8) vs. Homedale (18-7)
10 — Game 4, Filer (19-6) vs. Timberlake (16-3)
Noon — Game 5, Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, loser out
Noon — Game 6, Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, loser out
2 — Game 7, Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
2 — Game 8, Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
4 — Game 9, Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, loser out
4 — Game 10, Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, loser out
Saturday, May 20
9 a.m. — Game 11, Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, semifinal
9 — Game 12, Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, loser fourth
11 — Game 13, Loser Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, loser third
1 p.m. — Game 14, Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 13, championship
3 — If-necessary championship game if Winner Game 13 wins Game 14
2A
At Orofino
Friday, May 19
9 a.m. — Game 1, Orofino vs. Nampa Christian (12-12)
9 — Game 3, New Plymouth (17-6) vs. St. Maries (6-9)
11 — Game 2, Malad (17-6) vs. West Jefferson (10-11)
11 — Game 4, Declo vs. Melba
1 p.m. — Game 5, Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2, loser out
1 — Game 6, Loser Game 3 vs. Loser Game 4, loser out
3 — Game 7, Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
3 — Game 8, Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 4
5 — Game 9, Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, loser out
5 — Game 10, Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, loser out
Saturday, May 20
10 a.m. — Game 11, Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, semifinal
10 — Game 12, Winner Game 9 vs. Winner Game 10, loser fourth
Noon — Game 13, Loser Game 11 vs. Winner Game 12, loser third
2 p.m. — Game 14, Winner Game 11 vs. Winner Game 13, championship
4 — If-necessary championship game if Winner Game 13 wins Game 14