The West Seattle High School softball team made school history this season with its unprecedented trip to the state tournament. In a two-day span, the Wildcats played a total of five games, winning the necessary three to advance from district to the state tournament.

Although the girls didn’t win at state, the 2009 season was a magical one. They made history by being the first softball team to make state from West Seattle, and they played two competitive games at the tournament.

Columbia River was Westside’s first opponent at state on the morning of May 29. In the first inning, West Seattle jumped out to an early 1-0 lead with Al’Asia Davis’ RBI double scoring Annie Patnode.

In the bottom of the third, West Seattle escaped without giving up a run, as the Chieftains stranded runners at second and third. Kelsi Baker had been flawless until the bottom of the fifth when Columbia River threatened again.

After a lead-off hit, the Wildcats recorded an out. However, the Chieftains responded with another single to score a run. With the score tied 1-1, Columbia River hit a two-run home run just barely over the fence to give them a 3-1 lead. After two more hits, Corinne Kleeberger came in to pitch, and got two outs to end the inning, and keep the score at 3-1.

Needing some offense, Annie Patnode led off the top of the sixth with a single, and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Later in the inning, Al’Asia Davis hit a triple over the right fielder’s head, scoring Patnode to make the score 3-2, Columbia River.

Next up was Kristin Jackson, who grounded out. Looking to tie the game, Davis tried to run home, but was thrown out on a very controversial call by the umpire. Columbia River responded with another run in the bottom of the sixth to take a 4-2 lead. In West Seattle’s final bat, the Chieftains recorded three straight outs, knocking the Wildcats out of championship contention.

Next, they played Sedro-Woolley. The Wildcats could only manage two hits, and lost 8-1. It was a strong regular season for the Wildcats, with an automatic qualification into the district tournament. They were defeated by Holy Names 6-2, and then 5-3 by Bishop Blanchet in the third-place game of the Metro playoffs. This gave them the fourth seed from the Metro League.

Their first district contest was a loserout game against Sealth. After already beating them 20-0 and 10-0 this year, the Wildcats were the heavy favorites. They won easily 11-1. The next test came against Juanita of Kirkland, who was 19-1, and ranked second in the state.

The Wildcats kept it close until the fifth inning when the Rebels scored six runs and went on to win 7-0.

Their next game was against Sammamish, with the loser’s season ending. Sammamish jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

However, West Seattle came back to score two runs in the fourth inning, and held on for a 2-1 victory. The next test was Holy Names, who the Wildcats had already lost to twice this year. The game stayed at 1-0 in favor of the Cougars through four and a half innings, when Holy Names scored a combined nine runs in two innings for 10-0 victory.

The last chance to get to state came against Mount Si in a loser-out, winner to- state game. Mount Si jumped out to a 3-0, then an 8-1 lead by the middle of the third inning. However, West Seattle fought back, scoring two runs in both the third and fourth innings. Going into the seventh and final inning, West Seattle trailed 8-5. They rallied to score three runs and tie the game, sending it into extra innings.

After a scoreless eighth inning for both teams, Mount Si scored a run in the top of the ninth to take a one-run lead. West Seattle rallied again, scoring two runs to advance to state with a 10-9 victory.

The winning hit was a slap up the first base line by Annie Patnode, scoring Gabby Flores from third. West Seattle pitcher Kelsi Baker pitched the final seven innings, striking out nine, and giving up only one run.