West Seattle High School Baseball Claims "West Cup" Bragging Rights Over Chief Sealth IHS

The crosstown rivalry between West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School delivered exactly what fans hoped for on April 3, 2026, when the Wildcats dominated the Seahawks 5-1 in the annual "West Cup" matchup at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. In front of a packed house of supporters from both schools, West Seattle's baseball program proved why they remain one of Seattle's most competitive prep teams, with dominant pitching and timely hitting carrying the day.

Stenberg's Strikeout Clinic Shuts Down Chief Sealth

West Seattle pitcher Brady Stenberg was absolutely electric on the mound, striking out 12 Seahawks batters en route to the victory. Stenberg's performance exemplified the kind of dominant pitching that makes prep baseball exciting, keeping Chief Sealth's lineup off-balance throughout the night. The right-hander's strikeout total was the kind of outing that gets noticed by college scouts and reminds everyone why the Wildcats are consistently among Seattle's elite programs.

Chief Sealth showed up to compete, though, with pitchers Sam Popelka and Nevin Pivar working through West Seattle's lineup. Popelka took the loss despite a solid effort, unable to prevent the Wildcats from scoring early and often. Oliver Clark provided some bright spots for the Seahawks, reaching third base in the losing effort.

West Seattle's Bats Lead the Way

While Stenberg was shutting down Chief Sealth's hitters, the Wildcats' offense came through when it mattered most. Junior Lincoln Scott was the star of the night, going 3-for-3 with an RBI double that keyed West Seattle's scoring opportunities. Cole Williamson and Keaton Gunner also contributed with key hits and smart base running, showcasing the depth of talent throughout the West Seattle lineup.

The victory was especially impressive given the demanding schedule West Seattle was facing. Just hours after claiming the "West Cup," the Wildcats turned around to face Issaquah High School at T-Mobile Park on April 4, falling 9-1 in that contest. That quick turnaround highlighted the grind of the prep baseball season in the 2A Puget Sound region.

Looking ahead, West Seattle faces Seattle Academy of the Independent Schools League on Monday at Delridge Playfield at 3:30 p.m., while Chief Sealth looks to bounce back against Garfield at NCSWAC on Wednesday at 5 p.m. The Seahawks have the opportunity to show the West Cup was just one game in a long season, but for now, the Wildcats are savoring their crosstown victory.

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