Girls softball season preview: Seasoned Lady Fishermen look to build on 2025 success

Published 3:13 pm Sunday, March 8, 2026

By LUKE WHITTAKER — Chinook Observer

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Among the 13 players on the roster, only two are seniors, including Emily Morris and Emma Frame. The biggest team concern is simply team depth beyond the six returning starters. “We still have a young group,” Patana said, adding that the focus the first two weeks of the season has been on fundamentals, from bunting to baserunning. (Luke Whittaker photos)

ILWACO — The first few fastballs from the pitching machine whizzed into the Kaino Gymnasium batting cage netting at 50 miles per hour without much sound.

Moments later, after some instruction on stance and grip from head coach Barbara Patana, came the familiar ‘ping,’ the signature sound when cork wrapped in leather greets aluminum.

Fresh off tying their highest win total in more than 15 years, a small-but-experienced 2026 Ilwaco Lady Fishermen softball team is looking to continue to grow and contend under coach Patana, now entering her second season at the helm.

Lady Fishermen looks to build on 2025 success

Ilwaco has 13 players on the rosters this season, returning six of nine starters on the diamond this spring, minus all-league players and starters Megan Dille and Jasmine Kenyon, who graduated last year.

In 2025, her first season as head coach, Patana guided Ilwaco to an 8-8 record, matching the highest win total in more than 15 years. The Lady Fishermen finished in third place in league play, behind perennial powers Forks and Pe Ell/Willapa Valley, two teams that will again look to contend for the Pacific League crown alongside the Lady Fishermen.

Among the 13 players on the roster, only two are seniors, including Emily Morris and Emma Frame. The biggest team concern is simply team depth beyond the six returning starters.

“We still have a young group,” Patana said, adding that the focus the first two weeks of practice has been on fundamentals, from bunting to baserunning. “We’re looking to improve our situational game IQ.”

The team strength this season is the utility among players, particularly the infield, which will be “interchanging,” led by returning junior all-league shortstop Jayden Patana (5).

“They’re having to learn every position and be comfortable,” Patana said.

Ruby Anderson, Gordon Dille, Larry Kemmer, Olivia McKinstry and Jackie Smith Cunningham will serve as assistant coaches this season.

Forks, Pe Ell/Willapa Valley and Raymond/South Bend are anticipated to be among the stronger teams in the league, despite the graduation of some key players.

“We should be able to hang in,” Patana said.