PRESTON — Preston softball secured their second consecutive 4A District V title with a win over Marsh Valley on May 9.

Fifth-seeded Preston now advances to the State 4A softball tournament on Thursday, May 14, through Saturday, May 16 in Filer, where they will play No. 4-seeded Weiser at 5:15 p.m. They will play at 9 a.m. on Friday if they lose and 11:15 a.m. if they win.

Preston is eager to improve on their two-and-out performance at state last season, and coach Brandi Jo Hemmert feels they will be more settled this year, having been there before.

Behind another dominant offensive performance and a composed outing from sophomore pitcher Ellie Keller, the Indians rolled past Marsh Valley 12-1 in five innings Saturday afternoon to clinch their second straight district championship and continue one of the best seasons in program history.

“These girls are nothing short of amazing,” Preston head coach BJ Hemmert said. “They’ve worked their butts off all season, especially at practice. We haven’t had one practice that’s been the same. We’re always trying to improve something.

“But honestly, the biggest thing is the love and compassion they have for each other. I’ve never coached a team with camaraderie like this group has.”

The Indians wasted little time taking control Saturday. After Keller escaped a first-inning jam with a pair of strikeouts and a lineout to herself, Preston’s offense immediately erupted in the bottom half.

Freshman Tess Jones doubled to left before junior center fielder Brielle Biggs ripped an RBI double to score the game’s first run. Moments later, Biggs stole home as part of an aggressive baserunning display that became a recurring theme throughout the day.

Paisley Campbell then followed with an RBI double of her own to push the lead to 3-0 after one inning.

The second inning effectively put the game out of reach. After Sasha Haslam singled and Samantha Owens walked, Keller drove in another run with a double to center. Biggs followed with yet another two-run double, giving Preston a 6-0 advantage. Biggs later stole home for the second time in as many innings to make it 7-0.

Biggs finished a perfect 2 for 2 with 2 doubles, 3 RBIs, 2 runs scored and 4 stolen bases. The junior entered the game already leading Idaho 4A and ranking second overall in the state with 50 stolen bases.

“When I get up to bat, I just know I’ve got to do it for my team,” Biggs said. “And when I get on base, I know I’ve got to run hard.”

Preston’s lineup once again showcased the depth that has made it one of the most dangerous offenses in Idaho 4A.

Jones went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles and eventually delivered the walk-off hit in the fifth inning. Campbell added two hits and a double, Chloe Dunn finished 2 for 3 and Keller contributed both in the circle and at the plate, going 1 for 3 with a double and an RBI while striking out 7 over five innings.

“Everyone plays their spot really well,” Keller said. “If we didn’t have a first baseman, we wouldn’t be able to get outs. Everybody just does what they need to do.”

Marsh Valley briefly answered in the top of the third when Madison Foster lined an RBI single to center to score Addie Stoor, trimming the deficit to 7-1. But Keller quickly settled back in, striking out Hazel Sorensen to end the inning.

The sophomore allowed 1 run on 6 hits while walking 3.

The Eagles threatened again in the fourth when Maddy Bartschi reached third base after a single and an outfield misplay, but Keller responded by inducing a groundout to end the inning.

Preston then closed things out in the fifth. Campbell opened the frame with a single before Maysa Jones walked. Pinch hitter Oakley Hatch added another single to load the bases, and Owens drew a bases-loaded walk to force in a run.

Moments later, Averie Madsen punched an RBI single through the right side to make it 9-1.

That brought Tess Jones back to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. The freshman ripped a double to left field, clearing the bases and triggering the 10-run rule as Preston celebrated another district title.

“We knew this year teams were going to come for us,” Biggs said. “We knew we had to come out and play our hardest every game.”

Preston’s rise has been fueled largely by continuity. The Indians returned nearly their entire core from last season’s district championship squad, losing just one senior. That experience, combined with the emergence of younger contributors like Jones and Keller, has elevated the program to another level.

“My goal when I took over the program was to build feeder programs,” Hemmert said. “The future of Preston softball looks really, really bright. We’re going to lose some talented seniors, but this junior group, Ellie being just a sophomore, Tess being a freshman — I’m just excited to be a part of it.”

The Indians now turn their attention to the state tournament, which begins Thursday, May 14.

“We’re never content, never satisfied,” Hemmert said. “These girls want more.”