Olympic softball standout Feltis grew into leadership role with Trojans
Olympic senior softball standout Hailey Feltis didn't hesitate when asked about her biggest area of growth during her high school career. Here's a hint: it's not a physical skill for the Saint Martin's University commit.
"I would probably say confidence," Feltis said. "I would say as a freshman, I was really intimidated by everyone. We had some strong voices on our team my freshman and sophomore years and I was kind of scared of them. I try to not by scary for the freshmen and sophomores now because I know how it can be."
Feltis' metamorphosis from the Trojans' quiet starting second baseman her freshman year to being an All-Olympic League first-team pick at shortstop the past two seasons has coincided with the program's two best finishes at the Class 2A state tournament.
In 2022, the Trojans finished 17-7 and won the first state playoff game in program history, knocking off Cedarcrest in the first round, 4-3, before dropping contest against W.F. West and Shadle Park. Last season, the Trojans went 2-2 at state — defeating Othello 11-2 and Orting, 13-12 — to complete the season with a 16-11 record.
Feltis and the Trojans entered the week with a 8-2 overall record and 4-2 mark in league play. Based on the state's Rating Percentage Index (RPI) rankings, Olympic is among the best squads in 2A. Two others? Defending 2A state champion North Kitsap and Port Angeles, which ended North Kitsap's 29-game winning streak with a 7-4 win over the Vikings on April 9.
The ultimate goal for the Trojans this spring would be building off their recent playoff successes and putting the program one step closer to competing for its first-ever state trophy.
"We want to win at least three games at state," said Feltis, who as of Monday was hitting .394 so far this spring with three doubles, two triples, two home runs and 14 RBI.
Feltis played four sports in middle school, but gravitated toward softball from an early age and made it her primary sport. She's the oldest of four sisters who play softball and a member of the Diamond Dusters 18-and-under team, which is coached by her father, Nick. Spring is the busiest time of the year in the Feltis household.
"All of our evenings are booked full," said Hailey, who also volunteers her time as a little league softball coach. "Our schedules can be pretty crazy."
All the hours spent on the softball diamond paid off last summer as Feltis earned an offer to compete at Saint Martin's. It's a school she began emailing as a freshman, hoping to kickstart the recruiting process.
"Since I knew you could play softball in college, I've always wanted to work toward getting the opportunity," Feltis said.
Olympic softball coach Chuck Stark described Feltis as a clutch performer hitting atop his team's lineup and a player who has sought out more responsibility as a four-year starter. She's the one who encouraged the Trojans to set individual and team goals in the preseason. She's a player who helped Olympic's coaching staff run a one-day youth clinic over spring break.
It's all part of the growth process for Feltis.
"She's definitely taken on a more leadership role right from the start," Stark said. "Being the leader you'd hope your senior shortstop would be."
This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Olympic's Hailey Feltis has Trojans among top softball teams in 2A
