Spring break is officially here! For most PSD students, that means sleeping in, catching up on Netflix, and temporarily forgetting what a classroom looks like.
For our spring athletes, it looks a little different.
While schedules do slow down a bit, many of our baseball, fastpitch, soccer, track, golf, tennis, lacrosse, and water polo athletes are still finding ways to stay active, whether that is practices, a few scheduled competitions, or time spent getting better between games. It is a unique week in the season where competition and recovery both matter. And honestly, we hope our athletes also get a chance to rest, reset, and enjoy a little downtime too!
This week, we are celebrating fastpitch. Both Peninsula and Gig Harbor are deep into their seasons, and the energy around these programs has been strong. From competitive matchups to standout performances, our fastpitch athletes are putting together a solid spring.
We are also highlighting the Unsung Heroes of PSD athletics, the people who keep everything moving behind the scenes and rarely get the recognition they deserve. More on that later.
Time to play ball. 🥎
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Fastpitch is not an easy sport.
The pitcher stands 43 feet from home plate. The ball can reach speeds near 70 mph. Hitters have less than half a second to decide, and fielders have even less time to react. Everything happens fast, and there is no room to hesitate.
But fastpitch is not just about speed. It is about strategy. Reading the pitcher. Anticipating the next pitch. Moving runners. Executing in small moments that end up deciding games.
It is a sport that demands athleticism, mental toughness, and the ability to handle failure. You can go 0-for-3 and still impact the game. You can struggle early and deliver when it matters most.
That is the reality of fastpitch.
Both Peninsula and Gig Harbor are deep into their seasons, and the level of play has been strong. These athletes are competing, adjusting, and continuing to grow as the season unfolds.
Time to celebrate what they are doing!
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PHS Coaching Staff:
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Head Coach: Mike Paul
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Assistant Coaches: Joe Haworth, Hilary Gray, Alison Hughes
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Volunteer Coaches: Kelsey Borman, Gary Griffin
The Peninsula Seahawks are off to a strong start in 2026, sitting at 9-1 on varsity and 3-1 on JV as of April 9. They are also currently ranked 6th in the WIAA 3A RPI top 10, a reflection of both performance and consistency early in the season.
That success is rooted in a clear identity.
This year's team is built around a simple motto: EARN IT.
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"Our teams are focused on playing at a high level while still embracing the small moments and enjoying the game," the coaching staff shared. "EARN IT is something they work to embody every day."
One of the most notable storylines this spring is the emergence of young talent. Peninsula has 11 freshmen on the roster, the most the program has seen in years, and they have made an immediate impact.
"They bring great energy and a willingness to improve every day," the coaching staff noted.
That mix of experienced leadership and motivated newcomers has created a competitive, connected group. It shows in how they play, how they support each other, and how they approach each opportunity.
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Peninsula is off to a strong start. And more importantly, they look like a team that is building something that can last! |
Senior Meghan Webster has been a key part of Peninsula fastpitch, and her love for the game runs deep.
"Doing what I love with the people I love is my favorite thing about softball at Peninsula," Meghan said. "Our team feels like a family, and everyone wants to do well for each other and help one another improve. Being able to grow alongside the people and the program I love so much is really special."
Favorite Memory:
Meghan's favorite softball memory came during last year's district game that sent Peninsula to state. The Seahawks were down 6-0 and rallied to win.
"The best part wasn't even going to state," she said. "It was after the game, when we all agreed that while we were excited about advancing, we were even happier to spend another week together as a team."
That says everything about what this program is built on.
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Walk-Up Song: Money for Nothing by Dire Straits
On SALC:
"Being a part of SALC has taught me how much the leadership lessons I've learned through sports apply to the world outside of athletics," Meghan shared.
Advice for Younger Athletes:
"Stay competitive, but don't take everything so seriously. It's great to want to win and work hard, but the more fun you have, the better you'll play. When you stay loose, confident, and excited, the game comes more naturally. Learning to smile through adversity and keep a positive mindset can make all the difference, not just in how you perform, but in how much you enjoy the experience and grow as a player."
Meghan brings incredible energy to SALC. She is positive, kind, and the type of person who makes everyone around her better. She is truly going to go far in life after PHS!
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GHHS Coaching Staff:
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Head Coach: Nick Devaney
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Assistant Coach: Justin Bartlett
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Volunteer Coach: Jim Peschek
The Gig Harbor Tides are 8-2 overall and 4-1 in districts, putting together a solid 2026 season built on leadership, connection, and consistent performance.
This team is competing at a high level while also prioritizing the culture they are building. Older players are investing in younger teammates, creating an environment where everyone feels like they belong. That approach is paying off both in wins and in the way this team shows up for each other.
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The Tides have navigated a competitive schedule with resilience and discipline. They have faced adversity, bounced back from tough losses, and continued to grow as a unit. The record reflects that work, but so does the way they compete day in and day out.
Leadership is not just about performance on the field - it is about making sure every athlete feels confident, supported, and valued. That is what makes this program strong.
Junior Ryleigh Stapleton Long embodies that approach.
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Ryleigh has been playing fastpitch at Gig Harbor for three years, and her journey has been as much about building confidence as it has been about building skills.
"Originally, I was a shy girl, not mentally confident in myself," Ryleigh shared. "But as I began to grow the trust in myself, my skills grew, and I truly started to enjoy the game." That growth has shaped how she shows up for her teammates.
"I love connecting with underclassmen. I want them to feel confident in themselves, help them feel less intimidated by the new environment, and make sure everyone feels like they belong," she said. "When I see the confidence and connections grow between younger and older girls, it really helps grow the beauty of the game."
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Favorite Memory:
Ryleigh's favorite fastpitch memory came off the field. The team attended a UW softball game together, thanks to their coach securing tickets for everyone. "I loved going outside of the high school to not only bond with teammates, but also experience fastpitch on one of the highest levels of play," she said. After the game, Ryleigh and a few teammates headed to a Tides baseball game, where they watched, talked, and cheered on the C-team. It was one of those small moments that ended up meaning more than expected.
Walk-Up Song: Maneater by Nelly Furtado
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On SALC:
"Being a part of SALC means standing up for all athletes and being a part of the change in leadership and sportsmanship," Ryleigh said. "SALC allows me to connect with many other athletes from different schools and backgrounds, helping the schools we compete against better understand each other, outside of competition." For Ryleigh, SALC is about making sure everyone feels represented - from every team, every skill level, every background.
Advice for Younger Athletes:
"Trust yourself and your growth process. Remember you are harder on yourself than anybody else is, so don't let that get you down. Stay strong, and stay confident!"
Ryleigh is confident and a standout leader. Proud of her!
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On Tuesday, April 7. Peninsula and Gig Harbor fastpitch faced off in a competitive district matchup. Peninsula won 10-0, but the final score does not tell the whole story.
The parking lot was packed. Fans from both schools filled the stands. The energy was high, and the atmosphere felt like what high school sports should be.
Yes, these teams compete against each other. But they also share something bigger. Athletes like Meghan Webster and Ryleigh Stapleton Long work side by side on SALC, building connections across schools and promoting the kind of sportsmanship that was on display Tuesday night. They compete hard on the field. They lead together off it. That is what makes PSD athletics special.
Both teams showed up, played clean, and represented their programs well. The rivalry is real, but so is the respect. Wednesday was a reminder that we can compete with intensity and still compete together.
To both teams: thank you for showing what sportsmanship looks like.
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Every athletic program has people who do the work that nobody sees.
The team manager who fills water bottles and tracks stats. The equipment manager who sets up and breaks down every practice. The bus driver who gets everyone there safely. The field crew who makes sure the lines are painted and the grass is cut.
These people make everything possible, and they rarely get recognized. We want to change that.
This week, we are asking you to nominate an Unsung Hero - someone in PSD athletics who does the behind-the-scenes work that keeps everything running.
How to Nominate:
Send an email to athletics@psd401.net with:
- The person's name
- Their role (team manager, parent volunteer, etc.)
- Why they deserve recognition (a sentence or two is perfect)
Deadline: April 22
We will feature the Unsung Hero in the next Playbook and give them the recognition they deserve.
Let's celebrate the people who make PSD athletics possible!
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MONDAY, APRIL 13
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:00 PM - vs. Lakes High School @ Sehmel Homestead Park
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:30 PM - @ Mount Tahoma High School
⚽ PHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - vs. Capital High School @ Peninsula High School Roy Anderson Field
TUESDAY, APRIL 14
⛳ GHHS Girls Golf Varsity
- 3:15 PM - @ Capital High School and others @ Olympia Country and Golf Club
⛳ GHHS Boys Golf Varsity
- 3:15 PM - @ Capital High School and others @ Olympia Country and Golf Club
⚾ GHHS Boys Baseball Varsity
4:00 PM - vs. Mount Tahoma High School @ Sehmel Homestead Park
⚾ PHS Boys Baseball Varsity
- 4:30 PM - @ Lakes High School
⚽ GHHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - @ Central Kitsap High School (Cougar Stadium)
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15
🥎 PHS Girls Softball Varsity
- 3:30 PM - vs. Silas High School @ Peninsula High School Softball Field
THURSDAY, APRIL 16
⚽ PHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - vs. Timberline High School @ Peninsula High School Roy Anderson Field
⚽ GHHS Boys Soccer Varsity
- 7:00 PM - @ Bellarmine Preparatory School (Memorial Field)
Consider this calendar our best game plan at the moment 🗓️.
That said, weather always has a vote 🌧️, and changes may occur.
While we do our best to be accurate, it’s entirely possible mistakes happen too.
For the most current updates, please check with your coach or building Athletic Director.
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We want to hear from you! If you have any questions, concerns, or feedback about the Playbook or PSD athletics, please reach out to us at athletics@psd401.net
Your input helps us make our programs and communications even better!
The Peninsula School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, creed, religion, color, national origin, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, sexual orientation including gender expression or identity, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. If you have questions or complaints regarding alleged discrimination, please call the Peninsula School District Educational Service Center at (253) 530-1000 or visit our office located at 14015 62nd Ave NW, Gig Harbor, WA 98332, and ask for one of the following coordinators: Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator, compliance@psd401.net; Title IX Compliance Coordinator, titleix@psd401.net; 504 Compliance Coordinator, 504@psd401.net; ADA Compliance Coordinator, ada@psd401.net.
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