EPHRATA — Lesa Trevino is no stranger to Ephrata softball. She's been a familiar fixture on local diamonds, coaching recreational and competitive teams in the area including the Ephrata Enforcers Softball Club and in the Columbia Basin Youth Softball Association.

Now Trevino heads the Ephrata Tigers program, succeeding longtime coach Heather Wood, who retired after 22 seasons at the EHS helm.

Trevino inherits a program with momentum. Last season, Ephrata compiled a 20-10 record while outscoring opponents 323-162, and finished third in the tough Central Washington Athletic Conference standings at 13-3.

During the 2025 playoffs, the Tigers dropped a district semifinal to top-seeded Selah, rallied past fifth-seeded Othello, then rolled East Valley (Spokane) 17-1 to reach the WIAA 2A state tournament. At state, they posted a 2-2 record, dropping a first-round matchup against fifth-seeded Olympic, but rebounding in consolation play to beat Kingston and Archbishop Murphy before falling to Woodland in a loser-out contest.

This spring, the Ephrata ballclub has about 30 athletes turning out. Among them are the Tigers' team captains: senior Dakota Durfee, a first-team all-CWAC infielder, and junior Bailey Falconer, a catcher/utility player. Junior Bayleigh French (pitcher/infielder) is another returnee with varsity experience.

Newcomers include junior utility player Regan Shannon; sophomores Ellie Kono (catcher/utility) and Flor Rivera Nazario (outfield); and freshmen Sidney Chornuk (pitcher/utility), Camila Martinez (utility), Ella Piturachsatit (infield) and Riley Trusty (outfield).

"Our philosophy is centered around accountability, effort, and playing team-first softball," Trevino said. "With returning leadership and younger players stepping into larger roles, we're excited to see how the team grows and develops throughout the season."

Her staff includes first-year assistant varsity coach Jordyn Martinez, and JV head coach Casey Miller and assistant JV coach Kaitlynn Edwards, both in their second seasons with Ephrata.

Assessing the upcoming 2026 season, conference opponents won't offer any breaks and Trevino isn't pretending otherwise.

"The CWAC is always a competitive league," she said. "Our focus will be on continuing to improve each week and competing in every game."

The Lady Tigers open their season this Thursday, March 12, with a non-league doubleheader at Eastmont before hosting Wenatchee on Tuesday, March 17, in their home opener. First pitches at 4 p.m.