The 2026 Ridgefield Spudder varsity softball team members received a shock to their system on March 31 as the Spudders lost to the Columbia River Rapids 4-5. That would end up being this group’s first loss to the Rapids in their high school career.
Flash forward to Friday, April 24, and the Spudders proved a point of circling the next meeting against Columbia River on their schedule as they mercy-ruled the Rapids in the fifth inning to win 10-0.
“They came in ready to play,” Ridgefield head coach Greg Ferguson said. “They had a bad taste in their mouth from the last game, and they wanted revenge on it. They wanted to get back to what we do.”
Since the return from spring break, which was fresh off with another loss, 3-1, to the Mark Morris Monarchs, the Spudders proved what they can do. The 10-0 win on Friday capped off a six game stretch in which Ridgefield outscored their 2A Greater St. Helens League opponents 103-4.
“They just know they’re relentless,” Ferguson said of his team. “They know how to put it together, and that’s what I love about it. Everybody can score. Everybody can get RBIs. Everybody can put the ball in play. … They all understand it’s about putting up a number every single inning on that scoreboard, and as long as we do that, chances are, if we put one up every inning, chances are we’re going to win.”
For The Spudders to be dominant, simplicity is key.
“We just don’t try to do too much, you know,” Ferguson said. “We play team Spudder ball and they’ve got solid defense, good pitching, good hitting.”
Ferguson was pleased with his team’s ability to string hits together rather than try to sail it over the fence. During their April 24 win, the Spudders combined for 17 total hits, with four from shortstop Abbey Hite, and three hits each from second baseman Gracie Olmos and catcher Casey Lehnertz.
“The thing we keep telling them is line drive your hits, home runs are mistakes, you know,” Ferguson said. “And if you have that power that can drive it to the fence, then you’re golden. You’re always going to score. So if you make a mistake and it leaves the park, that’s alright.”
In 17 hits, Ridgefield recorded just one double, but had three triples and, as according to plan, no home runs.
On Monday, April 27, Ridgefield faced the ultimate test for the second time with a road trip to Longview for the Mark Morris Monarchs, but results were unavailable at press time. Entering the week, both Ridgefield and Columbia River were 7-2 in league play, behind the undefeated Monarchs.
Ridgefield next plays at Woodland High School on Wednesday, April 29, at 4:30 p.m., and a home game on Friday, April 1, against Hockinson High School at 4:30 p.m. before the regular season concludes next week.
