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NEWPORT — The Newport High School softball team defeated Chewelah three times last week, placing second in the Northeast 2B league and first in the North division.
After placing second last year as well, one of the team’s goals this year was to place first, Newport coach Steve Braun says.
“We came close,” Braun says. “We were two games shy because we lost two games against Northwest Christian.”
Tuesday, April 28, Newport (13-6, 12-3) visited Chewelah (613, 2-12) and won 13-2, recovering from their loss to Reardan over the weekend.
Newport took an early 5-run lead in the first inning, outscoring Chewelah by 4 runs. The Grizzlies extended their lead in the second, third and fourth innings, scoring 2 runs each. Though Chewelah managed to score a run in the fourth inning, Newport scored another 2 runs in the fifth inning, ending the game.
“They played really well after that loss in Reardan,” Braun says. “We wanted to bounce back and get back on the winning column.” Julie Bowman led Newport, going 2 -for-5 with a home run and 2 RBIs. Jasmine Billiter followed with three hits and 4 RBIs.
Cheyanne Frisk added two hits and 3 RBIs, Genica Kreider two hits and 2 RBIs and Lilli Hall three hits and 1 RBI.
They next hosted Chewelah for a doubleheader Friday, May 1, winning game one 22-4 and game two 16-6.
Game one, Chewelah scored all 4 of their runs in the first inning.
Newport not only scored 8 runs — double Chewelah’s total — in the first inning, but also went on to score 6 runs in the second inning and 8 in the third.
“Our bats were really going good,” Braun says. “Lots of good hits.”
Bowman led Newport again, going 5-for-5 with a triple, double, 4 runs and 2 RBIs. Grace Parry added three hits and 4 RBIs, Hall two hits and 3 RBIs, Bella Boyd three hits and 2 RBIs and Alyssa Dibble three hits and 2 RBIs.
“We had 24 hits, which was a lot of hits for one game,” Braun says.
Game two, Newport continued to outscore Jenkins, scoring 8 runs between the first and second innings. Jenkins finally hit 4 runs in the third inning, outscoring Newport by 3 runs. However, Newport quickly made a comeback, scoring 7 more runs between the fourth and fifth innings.
Jenkins only scored 2.
Boyd led Newport, going two for four with two doubles, 3 runs and two RBIs. Bowman added three hits and 2 RBIs, Boyd two hits and 2 RBIs, Parry two hits and 1 RBI.
Additionally, Bowman pitched the complete game, striking out four batters and holding down Jenkins’ runs. She is the team’s second pitcher, Braun says. Lilli Hall is their first.
“It was really nice that she got lots of good experience and playing time,” Braun says.
Newport next hosted Freeman Tuesday, May 5 after The Miner’s weekly deadline.
The Grizzlies will be seeded second in the 2026 District 6 2B Fastpitch Softball Tournament, behind Freeman. Friday, May 8, they host third-seeded Colfax at 4 p.m., then play again at 6 p.m. at the Dwight Merkel Complex in Spokane.
Colfax has a strong pitcher, Braun says, and Northern teams like Newport tend to be weaker at pitching than their Southern rivals.
Regardless, Braun and the team have high hopes for the district tournament.
They played competitively last year, Braun says, and he expects them to play even more competitively this year.
“When we face these teams from the South, they’re a little bit faster, a little bit more accurate,” Braun says. “So, I’m hoping the girls will be up to the task.”
