The Mount Si Wildcats' fastpitch softball teams ride to the state tournament got a whole lot easier last Thursday. The Wildcats used timely hitting, solid defense and another strong outing from freshman star pitcher Kandis Clesson to defeat the Liberty Patriots 3-1 in the first round of the Kingco Conference Tournament at Skyline High School in Sammamish. With the win Mount Si clinched a first-round bye at the Sea-King 3A district tournament this Friday at Fort Dent Park in Tukwila. With the bye the Wildcats now only have to win their first game at the district tourney to make it to the 3A State Tournament in Tacoma.

"We left a lot of base runners on today, but we came up with a couple big hits when we needed them. [We] played good defense," said Mount Si coach Larry White, who following the game was honored in a special ceremony by his players for getting the Kingco 3A Coach of the Year award. White was given flowers and a plaque for his accomplishment and he says the job for him this year hasn't been too difficult.

"It's a real honor to be selected Coach of the Year. I credit my team for playing great this year and all that. It's pretty easy to coach this group of girls, they're a great group of kids to coach, a great group of kids to be around. And they've just really worked hard to get to where we're at," said White.

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