CENTRALIA-Waitsburg senior softball standout Hailey Goenen participated in a three-day invitational softball tournament beginning last Monday July 25.

Sponsored by Fast Pitch Northwest, the tournament is in its second year running. Selection process for the tournament began back in June.

WP softball head coach Angie Potts nominated players for the first round S.P.A.R.Q. testing at Columbia Basin College's softball day camp. Here, the players are scored on their speed, agility, and core strength. Out of 40 players from the camp, Goenen placed eighth and qualified for an invitation to participate in the tournament.

Once arriving at the tournament, players from four different states were once again tested then placed onto teams according to their state regions. The players were then given one hour to practice and be placed in positions that would best showcase their talents.

Goenen, who played right field last season for the WP Tigers while belting five home runs for the season, found her sanctuary in the outfield and once again was a force to be reckoned with behind the plate, according to attendees at the tournament.

She dazzled the crowd with a double play in game five when she flew through the outfield, caught a pop fly between her legs then proceeded to throw out the base runner on first on the tag up, said Janean Struckmeier, Goenen's mother who attended the tournament.

Over three days the Washington Southeast team played five games and was one run shy of the championship game. Joining Goenen on the Southeast team from the Blue Mountain League was Desales pitching standout sophomore Ashlyn Lyons and Tri-Cities Prep sophomore Mary Hoppes.

"This was a great experience for these girls," Struckmeier said. "This is a new tournament and a great way for the girls to play in front of state college coaches. Hopefully, the word will spread and more local athletes will get the opportunity to participate in years to come."

Hailey's tournament coach agreed.

"It has been a pleasure for me to watch what Fast Pitch Northwest is doing to allow young ladies to pursue their dreams," said Centralia high school coach Timothy Gilmore. "This experience helps them build character and learn how to deal with temporary disappointments. The parents and communities should be proud of how they were represented by these players."