Mt. Spokane Seniors, Led by Ace Addison Jay, Chase Elusive 3A State Fastpitch Title

Lacey, WA - The pinnacle of Washington State high school fastpitch softball is upon us, and for the powerhouse Mt. Spokane Wildcats, this weekend isn't just another tournament, it's the culmination of four years of dedication, grit, and an unwavering pursuit of greatness. Led by their phenomenal senior class, particularly pitching and hitting sensation Addison Jay, the Wildcats are locked in on one objective: bringing home the WIAA 3A state championship trophy.

Mt. Spokane (22-1), the No. 2 seed heading into the state tournament at the Region Athletic Complex in Lacey, has been a force in the Greater Spokane League for years. They’ve finished fourth in two of the past three 3A state tournaments, proving their caliber, but the ultimate prize has remained just out of reach. This year, with a deep and experienced senior roster that includes stars like Jay, catcher Quincy Schuerman, and infielder Kaydin Bradeen, the Wildcats are hungry to change that narrative. As Jay herself put it, “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. I’m excited for it to show and see if we can be the group that gets it done.”

A Legacy of Dominance and Resilience

Addison Jay has been nothing short of dominant throughout her prep career. Earning all-league first-team honors in the GSL every single season, she is the school's all-time leader in wins with 57 and has surpassed the incredible mark of 650 strikeouts. Her coach, Carl Adams, simply states that Jay came in as a freshman "laser focused" and that unwavering commitment has only intensified. However, Jay is quick to deflect individual praise, always pointing to the collective strength of her teammates.

This team's resilience was on full display last year. After a shocking opening-round loss to 18th-seeded Inglemoor at state, the Wildcats fought their way back through the consolation bracket to earn a trophy. Jay believes that experience has forged an even stronger mindset for this year's squad. “To lose that game and still fight back to earn a trophy showed us how resilient this group was,” Jay reflected. “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.”

Clutch Moments and Unbreakable Chemistry

The Wildcats’ ability to perform in high-pressure situations was perfectly encapsulated in last week’s District 6 title game against Kennewick. In extra innings, with a top-four state seed on the line, it was catcher Quincy Schuerman who delivered the game-winning hit, knocking in Jay for the deciding run. Schuerman, in her second season as the team’s starting catcher, credits this success to the deep trust and confidence shared among the players.

“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 explained. “So it feels easy and lighthearted, yet super competitive at the same time.” This powerful blend of camaraderie and competitiveness is a hallmark of Coach Adams’ program and a key reason why Mt. Spokane stands as one of the state's most formidable contenders. The Wildcats will kick off their state journey Friday at 9 a.m., facing either 18th-seeded Southridge or 15th-seeded Gig Harbor.

This senior class has poured their hearts and souls into Mt. Spokane softball, and now, they have a golden opportunity to make history and end the two-decade GSL championship drought at the state level.

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