Everett, WA - Trojan softball opened up the 2025 season against two NWAC powerhouse programs from the south region, Southwestern Oregon CC and Clackamas CC.  As recently as 2023 SW Oregon CC won the NWAC Championship and Clackamas CC was the runner up in that same season.  Last year both teams finished in the top 6.  Despite the pedigree, EvCC was not intimidated and returns 9 sophomores from last year's team and one sophomore transfer.  The experience provided the confidence necessary to go toe to toe with the two programs.

EvCC hosted a Saturday doubleheader against SW Oregon CC and sophomore pitcher Alissa Hermansen tossed a gem in game one, going 6 two-hit shut out innings before finally surrendering 3 runs in the 7th.  Her outing was solid with just 5 total hits and striking out 12 batters.  Hermansen was backed up by solid defensive play and an offense that exploded for five runs in the 3rd inning, highlighted by an RBI double from Ava Puaatuua, Emma Hansen's RBI triple and a capped with freshman Emmajoy Wise's first collegiate home run which happened to be a two run shot.  The five runs was enough to hold off SW Oregon's late game surge, and sophomore Taryn Takayoshi was able to close out the game in the circle.

SW Oregon flexed their muscles in game two, jumping out early to a 5-0 lead through 3 innings and hit four home runs.  Everett got runners into scoring position in the first, third, and fifth innings, but couldn't come up with the timely hit, ultimately falling 8-0.  

Against Clackamas on Sunday, Everett again used a big, 5-run inning to jump out in front of Clackamas 6-1 through the first three innings of game one.  Three doubles from Alissa Hermansen, Emmajoy Wise, and Kenidee Holden drove in the five runs and Hermansen once again had a solid day in the circle, this time going the complete game (7 innings) and gave up 7 hits, 5 runs, and struck out 3 batters.  She also had a great game at the plate going 3-4 and two RBI's.  Shayne Hoekendorf and Taryn Takayoshi also had multi hit games helping EvCC win the first contest 7-5.

Hits and runs came in droves in game two for both teams, but it was Everett who had it going early with three runs in the first and three runs in the second innings.  Clackamas got back 4 runs in the third and scored another 3 in the fifth to tie the game at 8-8, but Everett stayed calm and collected and a five run 6th inning sealed the game by a final score of 13-9.   Everett had 21 hits highlighted by Kirstyn Scott's four singles, and three other Trojans had 3 hit games, Takayoshi (3-5 with a triple), Wise (3-4 two doubles), Renee Riggins (3-4, double).  Takayhoshi started the game in the circle going 2.2 innings, with 7 hits and 5 runs while Hermansen came back out to close the game.  She allowed 8 hits, 4 runs in 4.1 innings of work. 

A three-win weekend against quality opponents is exactly the kind of start to the 2025 season that head coach Randy Smith (now in his 23rd season) expected with this veteran team.  Attention will now shift to the NWAC inter-region tournament in Pasco, WA next weekend where Everett will again face quality opponents.  Everett will take on Lower Columbia and Treasure Valley on Saturday followed by Walla Walla and Blue Mountain on Sunday.