Second-in-state ‘Cats have top spot in mind

Published 11:04 pm Thursday, October 2, 2008

SNOQUALMIE – The 2005 Mount Si Wildcats girls softball team has a really tough act to follow after a 2004 season full of extremes.

Last year the team started out slow, and as late as just a couple of weeks before the end of the regular season there were doubts as to whether the Wildcats would even make the playoffs. That team, however, rode the strong pitching of Kandis Clesson and equally strong all-around play from the corps of Amy Trenkamp, Kayla Jayne, Ashley Svarthumle and Katie Morgan all the way to a miracle second-place finish in the state 3A softball tournament. Now the expectations are that much higher.

All of the mentioned group is back this season: Trenkamp, Jayne and Svarthumle as seniors; Clesson and Morgan as juniors. Trenkamp has already accepted a softball scholarship to Division I Charleston Southern University in South Carolina, and it’s a good bet that the majority of the other four will be playing college softball upon their graduations from Mount Si. In addition to the three seniors previously mentioned, Emily White and Sam Baldwin all return as seniors this season.

The team is coached by Larry White, back for his fourth season. In 2004 the Wildcats finished 19-11 and the state appearance last season was Mount Si’s second in as many years. Considering the strength of Kingco 3A in the SeaKing District tournament, there is no reason not to expect a three-peat. But, it is a different year.

“It sure is [a different year]. We’re starting off with great weather; we’re starting off with some girls who are ready to go. I’m real excited about having everybody back and seeing what we can accomplish this year,” Larry White said.

Two key newcomers are freshmen pitcher Katie Brett and catcher Katie Shaw. Larry White said the two will provide depth in the pitching and catching department. This is important for a number of reasons, not the least of which is insurance against injuries to their top players at those positions (Clesson on the mound specifically. The two have been battery mates on the same team for the last few years so that will also help. Shaw knows her role already.

“Just to help make the team better and support everybody, and hope to win,” said Shaw.

Brett is ready to do a lot over the next four years.

“[I want to do] Everything I can,” Brett said.

The schedule this season is quite tough. In addition to all of the Kingco 3A teams, the Wildcats scheduled several top teams from 3A and 4A, including Inglemoor, who was in the 4A title game last season, and both West Valley (Yakima) and Hanford, perennial 3A state contenders from Central Washington’s Mid-Valley League.

The season opener against the Vikings at Inglemoor High School in Kenmore at 3:45 p.m. on March 21 should be a bellwether for what’s to come the rest of the season.

Kingco 3A looks to be even better than it was last year, with most teams being very competitive, in particular Issaquah, Liberty and Bellevue. Sammamish and Newport also look to step up and make some noise this season. Larry White thinks his team can finish in the top three in league provided they play the way they’re capable of.

Mount Si’s softball team will play its home games once again this season at Centennial Fields in Snoqualmie. Fans can get an early look at the 2005 team this Saturday at noon, weather permitting, as they will be hosting a preseason, non-counting jamboree at Centennial featuring the Wildcats against the Patriots and Kingco 4A’s Redmond in mini three-inning contests.