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

Lacey, WA - The quest for a state championship in Washington high school fastpitch softball is a grueling one, but for the Mt. Spokane Wildcats' senior class, it is a journey fueled by years of dedication and an unyielding desire to make history. Led by phenom pitcher and hitter Addison Jay, the second-seeded Wildcats, boasting a formidable 22-1 record, are heading to the WIAA 3A State Tournament with one clear goal: to bring home the gold, a feat no Greater Spokane League (GSL) team has accomplished in two decades.

Jay, a four-time GSL first-team selection, has been a dominant force from the moment she stepped onto the high school diamond. Her coach, Carl Adams, rarely needs to offer much more than a simple, powerful message when he meets her in the circle: "There is nobody better." The stats emphatically back that claim. Jay holds the school's all-time records in wins, now standing at 57, and has eclipsed the 650-strikeout mark. But for Jay and her fellow seniors, including talented catcher Quincy Schuerman and infielder Kaydin Bradeen, this final tournament is about more than individual accolades. "We’ve worked so hard over our careers and this year," Jay shared, "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 Forged in Resilience and Teamwork

This isn't Mt. Spokane's first rodeo at the state tournament. They’ve finished fourth in two of the past three 3A state tournaments, demonstrating consistent excellence. However, the sting of an early exit last year, when they were shocked by 18th-seeded Inglemoor in the opening round, still resonates. That experience, though painful, forged a deeper resilience within the team. "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."

Coach Adams is quick to praise not just Jay, but the entire senior class for their unwavering commitment and humble leadership. "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." This collective strength was on full display in last week's thrilling District 6 title game against Kennewick. In extra innings, with a crucial top-four state seed on the line, it was Quincy Schuerman who delivered the game-winning run, knocking in Jay. Schuerman, who has become an invaluable presence behind the plate, emphasizes the team's deep-seated 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. So it feels easy and lighthearted, yet super competitive at the same time."

The Road Ahead for the Wildcats

The Wildcats open their state tournament campaign Friday at 9 a.m. at the Region Athletic Complex in Lacey, facing either 18th-seeded Southridge or 15th-seeded Gig Harbor. With a target firmly on their backs as the No. 2 seed, this Mt. Spokane team, united by experience, talent, and an unbreakable bond, is poised to make their final run. Washington high school fastpitch fans will be watching closely to see if this special group of Wildcats can cap their exceptional prep careers with the ultimate prize, bringing a long-awaited state championship back to the GSL.

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