Mt. Spokane Wildcats, Led by Ace Addison Jay, Charge Towards Elusive 3A State Fastpitch Crown

Lacey, WA - The pinnacle of Washington State high school fastpitch softball is upon us, and the air crackles with anticipation, especially around the second-seeded Mt. Spokane Wildcats. This year, a formidable senior class, spearheaded by the remarkable pitcher and hitter Addison Jay, is poised to make their deepest run yet for the coveted WIAA 3A State Championship. After a stellar 22-1 season and a District 6 title, the Wildcats are not just competing, they are hunting history.

For four years, Addison Jay has been a titan in the Greater Spokane League, earning all-league first-team honors every single season. Her coach, Carl Adams, and teammate, catcher Quincy Schuerman, know her impact firsthand. "I just tell her that there is nobody better," Schuerman often says, and the stats back her up. Jay is the school's all-time leader in wins with 57 and has eclipsed the staggering 650-strikeout mark this season. Yet, for all her individual accolades, the collective goal of a state title has remained just out of reach, fueling a potent desire for this final tournament.

A Journey Forged in Resilience and Teamwork

The Wildcats are no strangers to the bright lights of the state tournament, having finished fourth in two of the past three 3A events. This experience, both triumphant and challenging, has sculpted their approach. Last year, they faced an unexpected stumble in the opening round against 18th-seeded Inglemoor, a setback that could have derailed lesser teams. Instead, Mt. Spokane battled back fiercely, proving their grit and ultimately securing another trophy.

"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." This year, with the target on their backs as the No. 2 seed, that resilience will be their unwavering compass as they kick off their tournament bid on Friday against either 18th-seeded Southridge or 15th-seeded Gig Harbor at the Region Athletic Complex.

Senior Class United in Pursuit of a Dream

While Addison Jay's talent is undeniable, the spirit of this Mt. Spokane team is deeply rooted in its ten seniors, including key contributors like Kaydin Bradeen, pictured often with Jay preparing for battle. Coach Carl Adams is quick to praise the entire roster, emphasizing their collective contributions. "Addi hasn't really changed much in her time here," Adams said. "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."

A prime example of their unified strength came in last week's thrilling District 6 title game against Kennewick. In extra innings, with a top-four state seed hanging in the balance, it was Quincy Schuerman who delivered, knocking in Jay for the game-winning run. Schuerman, in her second season as the team's starting catcher, perfectly encapsulates their team dynamic, stating, "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. So it feels easy and lighthearted, yet super competitive at the same time." This deep-seated trust and camaraderie could be the very ingredient that propels this senior class to etch their names into Washington high school fastpitch softball history.

The stage is set for Addison Jay, Quincy Schuerman, Kaydin Bradeen, and the rest of the Mt. Spokane Wildcats senior class to finally cap their incredible high school careers with the ultimate prize, a WIAA 3A State Championship, leaving an indelible legacy for future generations of Wildcats.

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