By Gerardo Bolong
Special to the West Seattle Herald

Home team West Seattle exuded enthusiasm and confidence in a six-inning 13-3 defeat of crosstown rival Chief Sealth in the 3A Metro League fastpitch-softball opener for both teams at the Southwest Athletic Complex on Mon., March 20.

"This is a young team," said a pleased WS coach Tanya Slimp. "The bats were moving more and they were talking more. They're still some things to adjust, but we're building."

In the first inning the Wildcats flushed out four runs to get a quick drop on their opponents.

Lead off hitter Lucy Mead drew a base on balls ahead of Rosa Grassi's single through the middle. The Wildcats loaded the bases on a walk to Sophia Sallas, setting the stage for Brynn Snodgrass to deliver a two-run single. WS later capitalized on a passed ball, a wild pitch and walk to tally an additional two runs and complete its at bat.

"I'm happy with the win against our rivals," Mead said. "The energy in the dug out was fabulous."

West Seattle kept the pressure on for a solo marker in the second inning plus another pair of runs in the third inning to extend its advantage to 7-0 and was on the cusp of registering a five-inning win after notching three runs in the fourth inning.

During this time frame, Wildcat pitcher Belle Watt set down Seahawk batters with regularity backed up with solid fielding execution.

Chief Sealth refused to fold and extended the encounter with three runs in the top of the fifth inning with batters finally making good contact with the ball and runners reaching base on fielding miscues, but West Seattle closed out the proceedings on a three-run counter attack in the sixth capped by Sophie Wimer's RBI single.

Watt finished with a complete game victory while also praising her teammates.

"We had lots of practice and we're like sisters," she said. "I just pitched smoothly. (In the last part of the game) they (the Seahawks) just started hitting the ball."

Snodgrass joined the recap with positive vibes, as well.

"Our defense was good because we've worked real hard and it was making the plays," she added. "We concentrate on staying unified."
West Seattle is 1-2 overall while Chief Sealth is 0-2 overall. The Wildcats host Garfield on March 24 while Chief Sealth travels to face Ballard on March 22.