Walley shines in last games as a WWU Viking

Two outs, bases loaded. Senior Jordan Walley steps up to the plate. The crowd cheers. She swings.

Her bat makes direct contact with the ball, and it’s gone.

The entire Western Washington University softball team runs out to the field, patting her helmet as soon as she crosses home plate.

Western’s softball team played two games back-to-back Saturday, April 24, at Viking Field against Saint Martin’s University.

For eight seniors, including Walley, this was their last day playing as a Viking.

“For me to hit a grand slam on my last day of playing ever was simply amazing,” Walley said.

The Vikings were trailing Saint Martin’s 3-0 in the third inning of the first game when the Vikings started gaining momentum.

Senior second baseman Lauren Bennett started the inning with a single, senior utility player Taylor Peacocke followed with a double and junior second baseman Kali Patterson loaded the bases with a walk. Two outs later, Walley was up to bat.

Walley said she wanted to go out with her teammates and win while having fun and remembering to play with heart.

“Playing a part of the Western softball team has been amazing."

Her grand slam gave Western a 4-3 lead, which they kept for the remainder of the game.

In the second game, the Vikings gave up a run early but ended up taking the lead in the second inning.

The three runs in the second inning were scored by senior pitcher/first baseman Holly Hawkins, sophomore pitcher Makinlee Sellevold and Bennett.

In the third inning, Walley started it off with a solo home run to left field. Three batters later, senior catcher Taylor Clark hit a three-run home run, scoring Hawkins and Sellevold. The Vikings held the 7-1 lead into victory over Saint Martin’s.

Hitting the solo shot in the second game was the icing on a remarkable career for Walley, she said.

“Playing a part of the Western softball team has been amazing,” Walley said. “I loved being a part of something that is bigger than myself and being able to be a part of a program that stood for that.”

The seniors graduating are Walley, Bennett, Clark, Peacocke, Hawkins, third baseman Emma Blauser, center fielder Arianna Barrio and right fielder Alexie Levin.

Walley is majoring in multidisciplinary studies with a minor in economics. She will be working after graduation at Holaday Parks as well as coaching the 16U Washington Synergy Fastpitch team as an opportunity to give back the skills she has learned and to also help make the players’ dreams of playing in college come true.

Finishing on a high note with two wins, Walley remembers how her passion for softball grew at a young age as she unties her cleats for the last time as a Viking.