At crucial moments in the last two seasons, the Skyview softball team has seen what life is like without Maddie Milhorn.
Suffice to say, each time Milhorn returns to the field from an injury, the sophomore ace pitcher provides a major lift to the rest of the team.
Such was the case in May when Milhorn suffered an ankle injury midway through the Class 4A bi-district tournament. She sat out the next two games, both losses for Skyview, but returned the following week in time to pitch the Class 4A state tournament opening round game against Olympia.
Milhorn didn’t skip a beat, putting together a dominant complete-game, two hit-shutout with 11 strikeouts as the Storm earned a 2-0 win.
“It makes such a difference. She’s Maddie Milhorn. She carries us,” Skyview sophomore Lainey Phillips said during the state tournament. “When we have her, I feel like our defense (thinks), ‘oh, we have Maddie’ … she just makes everything better and it’s great to have her.”
While Skyview ran out of gas in the next round hours later, losing 3-1 to a strong Glacier Peak team, then getting eliminated in a 6-1 loss to Kamiak, the Storm had plenty to build from.
For one, Milhorn, The Columbian’s All-Region softball player of the year, posted a 0.82 ERA with 219 strikeouts in 111.1 innings pitched. She was also a force at the plate with a .586 batting average, 16 home runs and 42 RBI. After the season ended, she was also announced as the Gatorade Washington softball player of the year.
Meanwhile, all but three Skyview players are expected to return to next year’s team. Moments after their season ended, Milhorn and teammates were already thinking about what they need to do to improve.
“I knew this year we were going to be strong as a team, and we were,” Milhorn said. “But I also knew that this was a building year, and I think next year we’re going to be so good. The freshmen are going to be more comfortable and just the talent is insane for this group.”
To say a team that went 23-4 was in a building year may sound unusual, but Milhorn’s assessment is accurate.
Skyview’s 2022 team, which reached the 4A state championship game and ultimately took second place, was led by a talented group of seniors lauded for their leadership. That allowed Skyview’s freshman class, including Milhorn, to put their heads down and focus on their own jobs.
But this season, with more than half the roster made up of sophomores and freshmen, the time came for players like Milhorn to lead with their voices.
A self-described silent leader, Milhorn said the added responsibility was challenging at times, though made easier by having a group of sophomore teammates who shared the leadership role and most importantly, had each other’s backs. Milhorn, Phillips, Addy Harmier and Layla Royle all played softball together years before teaming up at Skyview.
“When I’m out there … there almost is no pressure because I believe in every single one of them,” Milhorn said. “I know they trust me and I trust them.”
In the moments Milhorn was sidelined — a knee injury that kept her out of last year’s state championship game, and the ankle injury in the most recent bi-district tournament — she and the Storm took away important lessons. Even something as simple as maintaining energy in the dugout, Milhorn said, can make a world of difference.
“Obviously it’s a little tough, not being able to play,” she said. “But watching the other pitchers out there, I trust them. They’re doing their job. Especially when I’m not pitching, the bats really come alive. I know my role when I’m on the bench is just to cheer on my team and make sure everyone is feeling good.”
Before next spring, Milhorn will spend another summer playing club softball with the Northwest Bullets. Then comes the fast-approaching Sept. 1 date when NCAA Division I college coaches are permitted to begin formally recruiting student-athletes entering their junior year of high school. Milhorn sees the upcoming months as important ones in her recruiting process.
“This is my summer,” she said. “I have to do well this summer to get recruited. I’m really excited to play with my girls and just have fun. At the end of the day, I know I’ll end up where I need to be.”
Rest of All-Region softball team
Maggie Bryan, Columbia White-Salmon: 1A Trico League Player of the Year had a .583 batting average, .659 on-base percentage, slugged .917 with 40 RBI. Led Bruins to a league title and 1A state tournament berth. Committed to Mt. Hood Community College.
Kadence Burleson, Evergreen: Junior batted .403 with 11 home runs and 33 RBI, helping the Plainsmen reach the 3A state tournament. Split time at catcher, allowing just two passed balls, and third base (.976 fielding percentage).
Jaila Ellis, Heritage: Freshman made an instant impact with the Timberwolves, who reached the 3A state tournament. Ellis batted a team-high .477 with 13 extra-base hits, seven home runs and 28 RBI. Also was the team’s top pitcher with 83 strikeouts, 3.07 ERA in 102 innings.
Hailey Ferguson, Battle Ground: Junior batted .406 with a .439 on-base percentage and scored 28 runs as leadoff hitter for the Tigers, 4A GSHL runner-up and state qualifier. Also one of the team’s top defensive players at shortstop.
Lexi Grumbois, Kelso: Senior was the 3A GSHL POY with a .475 batting average, four home runs, 23 RBI and team-high .590 on-base percentage. Committed to Lower Columbia College.
Rylee Rehbein, Battle Ground: Senior and Montana signee earned 4A GSHL co-POY honors, pitching 137.2 inning with 257 strikeouts and a 1.10 ERA. Won BG’s triple crown by leading team in batting average (.448), RBI (33) and home runs (8).
Layla Royle, Skyview: Sophomore stepped into starting catcher role and was a key leader for the Storm. Batted .339 with five doubles and 21 RBI.
Madeline Smith, Ridgefield: Earned 2A GSHL Offensive POY honors in breakout senior campaign for 2A state runner-up. Led team in batting (.494), slugging (.918), doubles (15) and RBI (46). Also hit seven home runs.
Jadyn Terry, R.A. Long: Named the 2A GSHL Defensive POY, senior pitcher tallied 337 strikeouts in 151 innings with six shutouts. Batted .460 with 12 extra-base hits, one home run and 42 RBI. Has signed with Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mallory Vancleave, Ridgefield: Junior shortstop, a Fresno State commit, was the 2A GSHL Most Valuable Player. Batted .484 with a team-high 45 hits, including seven doubles and seven home runs, plus 12 stolen bases.
Rylee Wall, Prairie: Junior earned 3A GSHL Pitcher of the Year honors for the league champion Falcons. Threw 71 innings with 64 strikeouts and a 3.32 ERA.
