In their second year of fielding a slowpitch softball squad, Lake Washington High’s girls qualified for the state tournament.

The KingCo champion Kangs were 13-1-1 in league and 15-3-1 overall and finished their season at state Oct. 27 at the Columbia Playfield in Richland.

Jasidy Martin was glad she decided to join the team this year, her first season with the Kangs. They had a blast at everything, from team meetings to practices to games.

“We worked so well as a team, everyone was always happy and cheering and ready for anything. I have gained so much experience from this year’s season and I have had so much fun. I can’t wait for next year’s season,” Martin said.

Head coach JoDee Hull made a huge impact on the team, which scored an average of eight runs per game and only allowed an average of four runs per game in KingCo.

“I can say from speaking on behalf of the whole team, we wouldn’t of had such an amazing season if we didn’t have such an amazing coach. So I thank her for all her time and hard work throughout this season,” Martin said.

Leading hitters were Martin and Annika Sturgeon, and top scorers were Alexis Danielson, Hannah Sitterud and Delilah Martinez. The young squad didn’t include any seniors and was full of juniors and sophomores.

All-league first-teamers were Martin (P), Martinez (SS), Danielson (OF), Sturgeon (OF), Sonia Sheth (2B) and Juanita’s Selenia Scott (C). Honorable mentions were Sitterud (1B) and Juanita’s Tirzah Pelton (P) and Stephany Nolasco (1B).

Hull, league coach of the year, was grateful to lead the team this season along with vital assistant coach Greg Benson.

“It is great to see girls at this age getting out there being active and trying something new. It takes a lot of courage and determination. This team has come so far since the first day of practice. We are looking forward to growing this program in the coming years,” Hull said.

LW finished 0-2 at state, losing 18-0 and 22-5 against Mount Spokane and Moses Lake, who finished first and fourth, respectively.

“The slowpitch state tournament was definitely a great learning experience for our program. As a second-year, inexperienced program we were overpowered by teams that were playing at a much higher level,” said Hull, noting that most of the teams featured year-round softball players on the slowpitch and fastpitch scenes.

Many of the Kangs are first-year players.

“I was extremely proud of my team. They were not afraid to go out there and do their best,” Hull said.