The best of the best in the NPSL battled the top players from the Metro League in the 2024 Invite Puget Sound High School Softball Showcase at Auburn Riverside.

It is truly the cap of the high school sports calendar and gives softball players from around the Puget Sound one last opportunity to play representing their high school and build relationships with players from across King County.

“It was my second year doing this event and it has been really enjoyable and awesome to see the camaraderie and skill that the players have,” said Emily Hess, coach at Decatur High School.

The results from the game are hardly the focus, but getting these players a final opportunity to play in front of scouts is a great chance for the players.

“Bryce Strand does a great job getting college scouts out here and a really great opportunity to get especially our seniors a last chance to be scouted,” Hess said.

Head 4A Coach and NPSL Coach of the Year Emily Hess was the skipper for the 4A side in their two games.

Hess is in just her second year at the helm of the Gators. She has navigated them to back-to-back 15-win seasons and a win percentage of those two seasons of .721, the fourth highest in the NPSL behind Kentwood (.857), Tahoma (.771) and Auburn Riverside (.764 3A).

“I give a lot of credit to Sydney Kozorezov, she’s a lot of the brains and strategy there. I am just happy to have such a great group of kids and student athletes. I am honored,” said Hess.

The state champions Auburn Riverside were represented well in the contest, having the most rostered players on any team with seven players. Auburn Mountainview, who turned their luck around at the end of the season, had six players take the field for 3A coaches Jordan Straughan and Shawna Behrens from Kentlake.

Thomas Jefferson’s Ava Heitman in the circle for the final game of the all star games at Auburn Riverside. Ben Ray / The Mirror

Kahea Sharpe yells after the 4A catcher caught a runner stealing. Ben Ray / The Mirror

Jossy Taylor up to bat in the night cap against the Metro League All Star team. Ben Ray / The Mirror