Warriors win fourth straight softball conference title

WASILLA — The Wasilla Warriors faced some obstacles during the first half of the prep softball season. But following a few midseason adjustments, the Warriors hit another milestone.

The four-peat.

Wasilla used a 15-8 victory over West Valley to earn its fourth straight Railbelt Conference title Saturday in Fairbanks.

“I’m super impressed by them. They did a heck of a job this past weekend,” Wasilla head coach Tyler Gilligan said earlier this week. “They’ve grown tremendously over the season.”

There were some holes to be filled, including the void at third base left by junior Diondra Lawhead, who was lost for the season due to a injury from the prep basketball season. But Gilligan said the Warriors also needed to come together as a team.

“Halfway through the season, we sat down and addressed that,” Gilligan said.

And the Warriors started to have more success, Gilligan.

Gilligan said players are stepped up at key positions. Alisha Champagne filled the void at first base.

“Your infield is only as good as your first baseman,” Gilligan said.

Jordan Malave and Courtney Ham rotated between pitcher and third base to help replace Lawhead.

“Huge void,” Gilligan said of the loss of Lawhead.

Working as a team, Warriors throughout the lineup were producing, Gilligan said, and Wasilla began to excel in areas.

“Hitting and base running are key,” Gilligan said.

Wasilla opened regions with a win over Colony and beat West Valley twice en route to its fourth straight region crown. Gilligan called Wasilla’s first win over West Valley in the tourney, an “intense” 4-3 win. Shortstop Jewel Fleckenstein and center fielder Mackenzie Moore both sent doubles to the fence, and Gia Day also had a big hit as Wasilla rallied for the victory. Fleckenstein and Moore scored runs. Moore and Day drove in runs in the top of the seventh. In the bottom of the inning, the Warriors turned a key double play to help cement the victory.

Fleckenstein was named the Railbelt Conference Player of the Year. Malave and Dani Gilbert were both named first team.

Wasilla now looks forward to the ASAA/First National Bank State Softball Championships, which starts Thursday in Fairbanks. The tourney begins with pool play. Wasilla’s pool includes Eagle River and Dimond.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman sports editor Jeremiah Bartz at sports@frontiersman.com.