The Auburn Mountainview fastpitch squad has squeaked into the postseason, grabbing fourth place in the South Puget Sound League 3A with a 6-9 league record.
Since starting the postseason on May 9, however, at the SPSL/Seamount League 3A subdistrict tournament with an 8-2 win in a loser-out game against Highline the Lions (13-12 overall) have been on fire.
On Monday, Auburn Mountainview finished sixth in the West Central District III/Southwest District 4 3A tourney with a 2-2 record, including wins in two loser-out games.
On Friday the Lions begin play in the state 3A tournament with a noon game against Meadowdale at the Regional Athletic Complex in Lacey.
For Lions coach Alicia Thompson, the team’s challenging SPSL schedule was a crucial part it’s success in the postseason.
“The SPSL 3A is the toughest league in the state,” Thompson said. “The top four teams in our league– Enumclaw, Peninsula, Bonney Lake and us – all earned state berths this weekend. Competing against these teams all year and hanging in most games – most of these games were close, we were in every game – prepared us well. My girls are fighters. We faced a lot of adversity this year. They continue to give their all and never give up.”
Thompson credits the team’s senior leaders, including ace Delene Colburn and infielder Quierra Bradford.
“Delene stepped up big after we lost our other pitcher,” Thompson said.
Colburn, a first-team all-league selection who is hitting .494 this year, switched from catcher to pitcher at the beginning of the season to give the Lions the best chance to win.
“She hasn’t been able to (play catcher) this year and has been selfless and never complained,” Thompson said. “She keeps up the intensity when the team is down. She has a competitive fire that the team feeds off.”
Bradford, another all-league first-teamer who boasts a .447 average this year, also has made an impact for the Lions.
“Quierra demands a lot from herself and her teammates,” Thompson said. “Her teammates look up to her.”
Thompson continued:
“I have been telling my kids all season to work hard and don’t be disappointed. We just need to get through league play, then postseason is going to go well for us.
“Coming in as the 12th seed into districts, teams underestimated us. We’re peaking at the right time.”
