Mt. Spokane Seniors Addison Jay, Quincy Schuerman Set Sights on Elusive State Title

Lacey, WA - The pinnacle of Washington State high school fastpitch softball awaits this weekend, and the Mount Spokane Wildcats, spearheaded by a formidable senior class, are charging into the WIAA 3A State Tournament with one goal in mind: a championship trophy. After two decades without a Greater Spokane League team clinching the state title, this year's Wildcats, seeded second with an impressive 22-1 record, are poised to break the mold.

Senior pitcher and hitter Addison Jay, a dominant force for all four years, embodies the team's ambition. Her track record of earning all-league first-team honors every season speaks volumes. "We've worked so hard over our careers and this year, and no one else at state knows how much work we have put in except for us," Jay passionately shared. "I'm excited for it to show and see if we can be the group that gets it done."

A Legacy of Dominance

Addison Jay's career for Mount Spokane has been nothing short of legendary. She holds the school's all-time records for wins, with an astounding 57, and strikeouts, eclipsing the 650 mark this season. Her starting catcher, junior Quincy Schuerman, has a simple yet powerful message for her ace in the circle, "I just tell her that there is nobody better." These stats and the unwavering confidence from her teammates highlight Jay's monumental impact.

The Wildcats are no strangers to deep tournament runs, having finished fourth in two of the past three 3A state tournaments. This experience, combined with a stacked senior roster including stalwarts like Kaydin Bradeen, fuels their championship aspirations. Their journey begins Friday at 9 a.m. at the Region Athletic Complex, facing the winner of the play-in game between 18th-seeded Southridge and 15th-seeded Gig Harbor.

Resilience Forged in Battle

While their talent is undeniable, it is the team's resilience that truly defines them this season. Last year, the Wildcats suffered a shocking opening-round loss to 18th-seeded Inglemoor. However, they didn't crumble, instead battling back through the consolation bracket to secure a trophy. This experience proved invaluable, shaping their current mindset.

"To lose that game and still fight back to earn a trophy showed us how resilient this group was," Jay explained. "There are times when we are going to get punched in the face, but we showed that we fight back. That has carried over into this year and I think it has allowed us to have a better mindset going into this weekend." As the No. 2 seed, Mount Spokane knows they have a target on their backs, but this time, they believe they can play loosely and confidently.

Teamwork Fuels Championship Dreams

While individual brilliance like Jay's is crucial, Mount Spokane coach Carl Adams is quick to credit the entire roster. "You know, Addi hasn't really changed much in her time here," Adams noted. "She came in as a freshman laser focused and that has continued to today. Obviously there have been physical changes that have made her better as a player, but she is also the first person to deflect credit to her teammates and that's just how they all are as players and leaders."

The collective strength was vividly displayed in the District 6 title game against Kennewick. In extra innings, with a top-four state seed hanging in the balance, Quincy Schuerman delivered the game-winning hit, knocking in Addison Jay. Schuerman, in her second season as starting catcher, emphasized the team's profound trust. "We have a ton of confidence in one another, that if you have a terrible game a girl behind you is gonna have a great game and pick you up," Schuerman said. "So it feels easy and lighthearted, yet super competitive at the same time."

This Mount Spokane senior class has poured years of dedication into their craft, and the WIAA 3A State Tournament represents their final opportunity to etch their names into state history. The entire Washington high school sports community will be watching to see if their collective effort and passion culminate in a long-awaited state championship.

This article was created with AI assistance. Stats and results sourced from public records.