Philomath High’s hopes for the postseason remained alive with a 16-1 mercy-rule victory Wednesday over Newport at the newly-dedicated Warrior Field.
The Warriors pounded out 14 hits and freshman Hailey Smith threw a six-hitter with no walks and six strikeouts in a game that was stopped with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Gallery: PHS softball vs. Newport (May 14, 2025)
A collection of photo’s from Philomath High’s 16-1 softball win over Newport at Warrior Field on Wednesday.
Based on the standings, Cascade and Stayton have automatic playoff berths secured while Sweet Home has clinched third place, which comes with advancement into a play-in game. Philomath could finish fourth in the standings and still sneak into the play-in round based on its final OSAA ranking.
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“If we win tomorrow (Thursday at North Marion), we’re pretty high in our rankings and we should hopefully secure one of the at-large bids,” PHS coach Kari Jaques said.
Warriors catcher Janae Traglia, one of six seniors recognized in pregame activities, is confident that Philomath will be playing beyond Thursday’s regular-season finale.
“We’re hoping — no, we’re going — to beat them,” Traglia said. “We’re just waiting to see where we go ranking-wise to see where we end up.”
Based on how the rankings are currently shaking out, it appears that Estacada and Philomath would be the last two teams to qualify for a play-in game.
Traglia has enjoyed the ride over the past four years as part of the varsity lineup.
“It feels good to have stuck it out and waited for our moment,” Traglia said. “It’s nice to see the progression throughout the years and seeing our work in practice pay off in the games.”
Freshman Rylee Martin’s dive at second base to stop a ball from skipping into the outfield in the fourth inning served as an example, Traglia said.
“We’ve been working on diving for a long time and Riley made a play,” Traglia said. “It’s good to see that we’re actually applying that in a game.”
The play that Traglia’s referring to occurred with two outs in the fourth inning. Newport freshman Olivia Greenawald hit a ball up the middle that Martin was able to stop with a dive to her right behind second base. Greenawald was safe on an infield single and junior Addison Taylor scored easily on the play. But Newport sophomore Baby Garrett was waved around third as well and Martin threw a strike to Traglia, who made the tag for the inning’s third out.
The Warriors then scored twice in the bottom of the fourth and ended the game.
Smith had a quality outing in the circle for Philomath and because of the 15-run rule, had an abbreviated four-inning appearance in which she faced just 17 batters. Smith has been a workhorse for the Warriors this season.
Traglia said the freshman pitcher did well making adjustments in the circle.
“She’s been having a hard time mentally trying to prove herself and clearly she’s done that,” said Traglia, who has caught a lot of pitchers in her four seasons. “I think that she doesn’t give herself the respect that she deserves.”
Smith has seen some challenges stretches in her first varsity season.
“There’s a player in college right now that throws faster than anybody ever has and she still gets hit,” Jaques said. “Unfortunately, when you’re a pitcher that throws it in the zone, you (the batter) don’t have to think, you just swing. So sometimes people get a hold of her but I’m super proud of her to keep pushing through and coming back every single time because we’re relying on her a lot.”
On offense, all nine players in Philomath’s game-opening batting order got at least one hit. Freshman Libby Kramer was especially potent with a two-run double in the second inning and a triple to right field in the third on a ball that fell just inside the foul line. Kramer finished 3 for 4 with four RBIs.
Senior Kaylie Kohler continued her hot hitting with a 2-for-3 performance, which included three runs scored. Smith also went 2 for 3 and scored three runs. Martin was 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Traglia and sophomore Haley King also drove in a pair of runs. Senior Hannah Bennett, Traglia and Smith had doubles.
“We’ve had some trouble adjusting before with not super-fast pitchers and everybody did a great job today of adjusting,” Jaques said.
As for Traglia, she may not be finished with softball after high school with an opportunity at a two-year school. Academically, she wants to pursue a career as a dental hygienist.
Philomath’s game Thursday at North Marion is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. The Huskies lost at Sweet Home Wednesday, 6-5.
Philomath 16, Newport 1 (4)
Wednesday at Warrior Field, Philomath HS
Team 1 2 3 4 R H E Newport (4-18, 2-12) 0 0 0 1 1 6 3 Philomath (12-11, 6-8) 1 9 4 2 16 14 0
Note: The game was stopped with 1 out in the fourth inning on the 15-run mercy rule.
Greenawald and Ruddiman; Smith and Traglia. W — Smith. L — Greenawald. 2B — Traglia, Kramer, Smith, Bennett. 3B — Kramer.