Mt. Spokane's Addison Jay and Senior Wildcats Aim for Elusive 3A Fastpitch State Championship

Lacey, WA - The quest for a coveted WIAA 3A state fastpitch softball championship burns brighter than ever for the Mt. Spokane Wildcats, especially for a special senior class determined to leave an indelible mark on their program. Led by their phenomenal pitcher and hitter, Addison Jay, the second-seeded Wildcats, with an impressive 22-1 record, are heading to the Region Athletic Complex this Friday, May 24, with their sights set firmly on the ultimate prize.

Jay, a four-time Greater Spokane League first-team honoree, has been a force of nature throughout her prep career, setting school records with 57 wins and eclipsing 650 strikeouts. But for Jay, and fellow seniors like catcher Quincy Schuerman and standout Kaydin Bradeen, individual accolades pale in comparison to the team's collective goal. "We've worked so hard over our careers and this year," Jay expressed, "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."

Dominance Forged Through Grit and Teamwork

Mt. Spokane head coach Carl Adams has witnessed Jay's laser-focused drive since her freshman year, but he's quick to emphasize the profound impact of the entire roster. Catcher Quincy Schuerman, who has the best seat in the house for Jay's dominant performances, echoes this sentiment. Schuerman, in her second season as the team’s starting catcher, perfectly encapsulates the team's chemistry and belief in one another. "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. This deep-seated trust was evident in their thrilling District 6 title game against Kennewick, where Schuerman delivered the game-winning RBI to score Jay in extra innings, securing a top state seed.

Resilience and a Championship Mindset

The Wildcats aren't strangers to the state tournament's pressure cooker, having finished fourth in two of the past three 3A state tournaments. Last year, they faced an unexpected early exit against 18th-seeded Inglemoor, a loss that proved pivotal in shaping their current mindset. "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 resilience gives the number two-seeded Wildcats a calm confidence as they prepare to face either 18th-seeded Southridge or 15th-seeded Gig Harbor in their opening game on Friday.

With their blend of individual brilliance, unwavering team spirit, and hard-earned resilience, the Mt. Spokane senior class is poised to make their final run the most memorable yet in their pursuit of the ultimate WIAA 3A state title.

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