Patient, Veteran Bearcats Gearing Up for Full Softball Season

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While fall and winter sports got their normal, full seasons, with state runs and district tournaments back in full swing after a COVID-shortened spring season, spring sports have been patiently waiting in the wings for their turn.

After months and months of wait, it’s finally softball season in Lewis County.

“To be outside almost every day during the first week and be able to play, we’re looking forward to a normal season, that’s not something we’ve gotten to do in two years,” W.F. West softball coach Caty Lieseke said. “It’s incredible to be out here. I know the girls are excited, the girls that are juniors this year have not played a normal high school season.”

In 2021-22, the Bearcats are hoping that the wait is worth it. With a roster loaded with experience and versatility across the board, the Chehalis squad will be looking to make a deep run this season after an undefeated, 16-0, burst last spring.

Kamy Dacus returns on the mound after pitching all but three innings for the Bearcats, posting a 0.69 ERA, 185 punchouts, and a blistering .561 on-base percentage with 28 runs batted in at the plate.

All-Area infielder Brielle Etter returns after a stellar sophomore campaign that saw her commit no errors, bat .439 and score 22 runs for the Bearcats, and Rachel Gray has been the loudest voice so far in practice.

“Rachel Gray is definitely the vocal leader for us,” Lieseke said. “She’s the one you can probably hear from the playground over there, she’s the one that’s going to make sure people know where they need to be and when to be there. Everyone has grown a lot since last season, they’ve really matured, everybody has stepped up with who they are and what they do.”

And while the Bearcats are a long way from any sort of title run, in districts or at state, the expectations are clear as the season gets set to ramp up.

“We want to be playing May 27 and May 28 in Selah,” Lieseke said. “That’s where our eyes are set. There’s a lot of steps between here and there, and we’ll be talking about that too, but ultimately we have the ability to be there and we have to execute.”

But before they get to any sort of state tournament across the mountains, the Bearcats have to get through their preseason, league season, and district tournament.

W.F. West dedicates a portion of nearly every practice to the mental aspects of their games, including recording goals and expectations for themselves and the team, both large and small. With the first semblance of a normal season on the horizon, the Bearcats are excited to hit the field running in 2022.

“Last year we would have been playing a game today,” Lieseke said. “I feel like we can breathe a little bit and we have time to prepare, time to plan for things, and time to get kids where they want to be.”