Jay, Schuerman Lead Mt. Spokane Seniors on Quest for 3A Fastpitch State Title!

Mead, WA - The hunt for state championship glory is never easy, but for the Mt. Spokane Wildcats fastpitch softball team, it is a mission fueled by years of dedication and a burning desire from a special senior class. Led by the phenomenal pitching and hitting of Addison Jay and the steadfast leadership of catcher Quincy Schuerman, the Wildcats, with their formidable 22-1 record, enter the WIAA 3A State Tournament as the No. 2 seed, eyeing the top spot that has eluded Greater Spokane League teams for two decades.

Jay, a dominant force who has earned all-league first-team honors every season of her prep career, has amassed a school record 57 wins and over 650 strikeouts. Her coach, Carl Adams, keeps his messages simple, telling her, "there is nobody better." That confidence is well-placed, but this year, it is not just about individual brilliance. It is about an entire senior class, including standout Kaydin Bradeen, looking to cap their high school careers with the ultimate prize.

A Legacy of Dominance and Resilience

The Wildcats are no strangers to the bright lights of the state tournament, having finished fourth in two of the past three 3A state championships. However, the memory of last year's shocking opening-round loss to 18th-seeded Inglemoor still lingers, serving not as a defeat, but as a crucible that forged an even stronger 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."

This unwavering spirit defines the Wildcats. They understand that every pitch, every at-bat, and every defensive play in Lacey will be critical. The target is firmly on their backs as the second seed, but their experience from previous deep runs, and even the tough lessons learned, has prepared them to play with a unique blend of intensity and freedom.

More Than Just One Star

While Addison Jay's name often dominates the headlines, Coach Adams and Jay herself are quick to credit the entire roster for the program's success. "You know, 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, 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 Mt. Spokane's collective strength came in last week's District 6 title game against Kennewick. In a high-stakes extra-inning battle, it was Schuerman who delivered the game-winning run, knocking in Jay. Schuerman, in her second season as the starting catcher, highlighted the deep trust within the team. "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," she said. "So it feels easy and lighthearted, yet super competitive at the same time." This profound belief in each other makes them a formidable opponent.

The journey to the state title begins Friday at 9 a.m. at the Region Athletic Complex in Lacey, where the Wildcats will face either 18th-seeded Southridge or 15th-seeded Gig Harbor. This senior class has poured their hearts and souls into Mt. Spokane fastpitch, and now they are poised to leave an indelible mark on Washington state high school sports history.

The entire Washington state high school sports community will be watching to see if this talented and resilient Mt. Spokane team can indeed bring home the WIAA 3A fastpitch softball state championship trophy.

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