As the regular season winds down with just one week remaining, the playoff picture for softball and baseball teams is coming into sharp focus. Astoria, Warrenton, and Knappa softball are all positioning themselves for postseason berths, while the Seaside girls are fighting to close out the season on a high note. Over on the baseball diamond, all eyes are on Wednesday's crucial league matchup between Warrenton and Banks, as the Astoria boys continue their push toward the playoffs.
The Scappoose softball team made a statement on Thursday, completing a series sweep over Astoria with a decisive first inning. The Indians jumped on Fishermen starter Taryen Wray early, forcing her into a 30-pitch opening frame that yielded three runs—a classic recipe for success against a talented pitcher. Astoria showed resilience, clawing back to 3-2 on a Lyla Carlson sixth-inning home run, but Scappoose's relief pitcher Saige Casey shut the door in the seventh. Casey pitched the final three innings in relief of her younger sister Elly, sealing the win for the Indians.
The loss effectively ends Astoria's hopes for a Cowapa League title. The Fishermen now sit with three league losses, while Scappoose and St. Helens each have two. Astoria's final positioning hinges on their upcoming two-game series against St. Helens—win both and they secure second place; split the series and they fall to third. Currently ranked No. 5 in the 4A softball rankings, the Fishermen could face a challenging path through The Dalles in the second round and a potential semifinal rematch with Scappoose.
Across the diamond, the Seaside girls had a tough week against St. Helens, falling 7-2 on Tuesday and 11-2 on Thursday. The losses dropped their record to 1-8 in league play and 8-13 overall. Despite the sub-.500 mark, the Seagulls remain ranked No. 14 in 4A—a testament to the competitive nature of their division. In any other league, they'd be a strong candidate for a second- or third-place playoff spot. With three games remaining, Seaside still has a chance to reach double-digit wins and build momentum for next season.
Tuesday's game saw Grace Walker lead the offense with two hits in three at-bats, adding a stolen base. Allie Corder and Chloe Baker drove in the only two runs for Seaside, while Corder pitched a complete seven innings, allowing three earned runs on eight hits with just one walk. Thursday, Jahzara Marshall joined Walker with two hits apiece, combining for four of Seaside's five hits. Walker delivered the only RBIs with a fifth-inning single.
Meanwhile, the Warrenton softball team continued their strong run with a sweep of Rainier, keeping their postseason hopes alive and well.