#1 Lower Columbia, #6 Everett to Meet in NWAC Championship Game(s) on Sunday
PORTLAND, Ore. - The No. 1 Lower Columbia Red Devils and No. 6 Everett Trojans each punched their tickets to the final of the 2025 NWAC Softball Championship on Saturday at Delta Park.
After a two-hour delayed start on Saturday, the Red Devils (47-0) and the Trojans (38-12) met up in game 27 of the tournament to close out the winner's bracket. Lower Columbia jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Everett responded with two runs on Taryn Takayoshi's two-RBI double to cut the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the third. LCC quickly answered with three more runs in the bottom of the inning on Allison Baumgart's three-run home run and three more in the fourth as Gabi Silveria and Hailey Brooks each went yard, giving the Red Devils a commanding 9-2 lead. Ava Eib dominated the rest of the way in the circle, pitching the final 4.2 innings allowing one run with five strikeouts. The win advanced Lower Columbia automatically to championship Sunday, where they need to win just one of two games to claim their 11th NWAC softball title.
Everett dropped to the loser's bracket where they next awaited the winner of No. 2 Columbia Basin and No. 5 Wenatchee Valley.
After falling in their first game of the tournament on Thursday, the Hawks (45-4) continued their incredible run with their fifth-straight win as they defeated the Knights (26-15) 11-1 in five innings. The bats came alive early for CBC as they scored three runs in the first, five in the second and three more in the third to go ahead 11-0. Kenadie Goudette had a three-run home run in the second and Bree Waldron added another three-run shot in the third to give pitcher Lauryn Krick all the support she would need. Krick pitched a complete game with seven strikeouts to move the Hawks to within one win of the title game.
The Trojans had other plans, however, as they were looking for a rematch with Lower Columbia. EVCC jumped on the board first with two runs in the first inning and one more in the second to lead 3-0 after two innings. Takayoshi dominated the CBC lineup in the circle as she allowed just one run on five hits with four strikeouts in a complete game, leading the Trojans to the 3-1 victory. She also drove in two runs in the game while Emma Hansen went 3-for-4 with a run scored and RBI. Krick pitched another complete game for the Hawks with eight strikeouts while providing all the offense for CBC with a solo home run in the sixth inning.
Everett will once again face off with Lower Columbia on Sunday, beginning at 11 a.m. as they need to win two games to claim the title. Lower Columbia will need to win just one game. For the Trojans, it would be their first-ever softball title in program history and for head coach Randy Smith. They have finished second place once back in 2011.
For Lower Columbia, the 2025 trophy would be there 11th in program history, adding to their already NWAC record 10 titles. However, it would be the first title for LCC since 2008 and first for head coach Traci Fuller. The Red Devils also look to make history by being the first team to win the championship with an undefeated record. The Red Devils were undefeated 20-0 in the 2021 season that did not have a championship tournament due to COVID-19. In 2002, the Red Devils won the title with a 41-1 record, which currently stands as the best record in NWAC softball history for a championship team. The 2025 team looks to set a new record on Sunday.
To view and updated bracket, CLICK HERE.