The national runner-up Western Washington University softball team has added five new players — four freshmen and one transfer — to fill out its 2024–25 roster.
Freshman right-handed pitcher Gracie Huston is the only player to come from out of the state. The 5-foot-8 Huston is from Milwaukie, Oregon, and played at Central Catholic High School and the Washington Ladyhawks Gold club team.
Huston chose Western because she wanted to feel a sense of independence while still being close enough for family to come watch her play.
Huston finished her high school career with a 24-4 record, 1.41 ERA, 349 strikeouts, five no-hitters and two perfect games. Huston hopes she can make an immediate impact on the field.
“If you ever talk to anybody down here, they say I have a crazy spin,” Huston said. “I don’t throw the hardest, but that can come with everything.”
Huston’s club teammate, Nyree Johnson, is the second freshman to join Western. The 5-foot-4 Johnson of Brier, Snohomish County, was a middle infielder at Lynnwood High School in Bothell. She completed her prep career as a three-time All-Wesco selection and set the Lynnwood career record for home runs (24) and batting average (.724).
“She was committed before I was and told me how much she loves the team and coaches,” Huston said.
Haylee Kim, the third freshman to join, is a 5-foot-5 infielder from Lake Stevens High School and Ai Bandits Breer club team. Kim was a three-time 4A All-Wesco selection, including first-team honors as a junior. She finished her career with a .517 batting average.
Hailey Pelletier, the fourth freshman to join, is a 5-foot-7 catcher from Jackson High School and the Snohomish Shock club team. Pelletier helped lead Jackson to back-to-back 4A state titles and had a career .402 batting average with 112 hits, 17 home runs and 85 RBIs.
“Hailey is a good receiver behind the plate, has a strong arm to control the run game and brings another impactful power bat to our team,” Western coach Sheryl Gilmore said in a news release.
Olivia Matlock, a 5-foot-9 junior utility player, transferred from Saint Martin’s University and also played for Ai Bandits Breer during her prep career. She pitched Pe Ell-Willapa Valley to a 2B state title in 2022.
“I’m looking forward to being in a positive environment and doing whatever the team needs,” Matlock said. “I’m going to work really hard.”
In her two seasons at Saint Martin’s, Matlock had a .253 batting average, 57 hits, nine home runs and 38 RBIs. She also played first base but can pitch and play several positions. With two years left, Matlock hopes she can further her education and make an immediate impact for the Vikings.
“I want to graduate with my degree in elementary education and to contribute as much as I can to the team,” Matlock said. “My next two years will be fun.”
Nick Zeller-Singh is CDN's sports reporter; reach him at nickzellersingh@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 104.
