The Sioux Falls Washington softball team has started the 2026 season with a perfect 6-0 record, using their previous loss as motivation. Head coach Kim Bazata notes significant improvements in their gameplay and batting quality.
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Washington softball continues dominant run to start 2026 campaign
The Sioux Falls Washington softball team has let the loss to Sioux Falls Jefferson in the 2025 Class AA state championship game fuel their 2026 season, and the Warriors are off to a 6-0 start.
Instead of putting that defeat behind them, the Warriors leaned fully into it. They put in the work to build off their 18-3 season from a year ago, and the girls and head coach Kim Bazata all feel the improvement is noticeable.
"We're seeing the ball better than we have the past couple years," Bazata said. "We're producing runs and we're just having quality at bats. We're taking pitchers three, four, five, six pitches into the count and wearing them out."
That offense was on full display at the Spring Scramble on Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18. The Warriors beat Northern Cass (ND) 12-0, Eden Prairie (MN) 13-3 and St. Louis Park (MN) 20-6.
Maddy Mescher led the Warriors all weekend, going 7-for-10 with two home runs, two doubles and 11 RBIs at the plate while getting the win in the circle against Eden Prairie by allowing six hits and three runs while striking out eight.
"I was just trying to time up the pitches on deck, really just read them," Mescher said.
Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) swings at the pitch during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Natalie Thompson (14) high fives her coach Kim Bazata during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The Sioux Falls Washington softball team currently has a record of 6-0 in the 2026 season.
The loss to Sioux Falls Jefferson in the 2025 state championship motivated the team to improve and focus on their performance in the 2026 season.
The head coach of the Sioux Falls Washington softball team is Kim Bazata.
The team has shown improvements in seeing the ball better, producing runs, and having quality at bats, according to head coach Kim Bazata.
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Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) high fives her teammate during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) swings at the pitch during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) high fives her coach during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Rylynn Routh (12) runs to first base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) inches away from second base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Emily Akkerman (5) and Kate Childress (11) touch gloves after team meets at the mound during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Rylee Rote (2) throws the ball back to the pitcher during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Berklee Hall (1) brings the ball back in field during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Rylee Rote (2) throws the ball back to the pitcher Maddy Mescher (28) during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) throws the ball back in field during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Kjerstin Kyte (8) tosses the ball to her teammate during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Kate Childress (11) catches the ball during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Mareesa Bakker (10) high fives Emily Akkerman (5) as she goes out to bat during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Mareesa Bakker (10) swings at the pitch during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Rylee Rote (2) waits to run from first base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Kjerstin Kyte (8) gets ready to run from second base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Kate Childress (11) runs in field during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Emily Akkerman (5) swings at the pitch during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Emily Akkerman (5) waits to run from second base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Mareesa Bakker (10) runs to first base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Kjerstin Kyte (8) throws the ball back to pitcher Maddy Mescher (28) during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Washingtonās Rylee Rote (2) pitches from the mound during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
The Washington softball team comes out to cheer for their teammate Kate Childress (11) as she runs home during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) swings at the pitch during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) swings at the pitch during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Natalie Thompson (14) high fives her coach Kim Bazata during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) high fives her teammate during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) swings at the pitch during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) high fives her coach during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Rylynn Routh (12) runs to first base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) inches away from second base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Emily Akkerman (5) and Kate Childress (11) touch gloves after team meets at the mound during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Rylee Rote (2) throws the ball back to the pitcher during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Berklee Hall (1) brings the ball back in field during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Rylee Rote (2) throws the ball back to the pitcher Maddy Mescher (28) during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Aubrey Chavez (55) throws the ball back in field during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Kjerstin Kyte (8) tosses the ball to her teammate during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Kate Childress (11) catches the ball during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Mareesa Bakker (10) high fives Emily Akkerman (5) as she goes out to bat during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Mareesa Bakker (10) swings at the pitch during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Rylee Rote (2) waits to run from first base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Kjerstin Kyte (8) gets ready to run from second base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Kate Childress (11) runs in field during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Emily Akkerman (5) swings at the pitch during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Emily Akkerman (5) waits to run from second base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Mareesa Bakker (10) runs to first base during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Kjerstin Kyte (8) throws the ball back to pitcher Maddy Mescher (28) during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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Washingtonās Rylee Rote (2) pitches from the mound during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
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The Washington softball team comes out to cheer for their teammate Kate Childress (11) as she runs home during a game against Eden Prairie on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Sanford Sports Complex Softball Fields in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
It may not have been the star junior's best performance in the circle, but she had to battle high-30s to low-40s temperatures and whipping winds.
"Cold day, but it's all mental," Mescher said. "Just stay positive, know that I can do it and have confidence."
Senior Emily Akkerman also picked up a pair of wins on the weekend, striking out 21 batters in nine innings against Northern Cass and St. Louis Park.
Pitching has been the calling card for Washington these last few years, and that has been there this season as well. Both Mescher and Akkerman have been dominant again in 2026, but they've gotten plenty of help this season.
"Maddy's great and she thrives under pressure, but it's nice when she doesn't have to be under constant pressure," Bazata said. "It's nice to take some of that pressure off and say we can play back and get an out and not worry about the runner at third."
Washington, like Jefferson, now has a target on its back after a trip to the Class AA state championship game. Bazata feels her girls have responded to the pressure well by remembering why they play the game.
"That's the point of this game is that we're having fun," Bazata said. "We're just focusing on the things that we can do and we try to get better every day."
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Washington softball continues dominant run to start 2026 campaign