The W.F. West baseball team has established itself as regular contenders in the 2A State Tournament.
The Bearcats have made the tournament every year since 2016, and they have advanced to at least the semifinals in five of those seven tournaments (there was no tournament in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19).
As recently as 2022 and 2023, the Bearcats were competing for a state title at Joe Martin Stadium in Bellingham. They just missed out on a trip to Bellingham last year, losing in the quarterfinals to Columbia River, the eventual state champions.
So, naturally, is the goal to get back to Joe Martin Stadium?
“Our goal is to win on Friday,” W.F. West coach Jesse Elam said. “We play one way, and we’re gonna play that way no matter what.”
The Bearcats will begin to trek the long road back on Friday in Ridgefield, and they have plenty of talent to carry them through.
Deacon Meller, Connor Coleman, Miles Martin, Ross Kelley, and Cole Ozretich all earned all-league honors last season, and Grady Westlund earned an honorable mention.
“What it comes down to is that they are really fun to coach,” Elam said. “Because they are fun to be around, and they love the game of baseball. It's a bonus that they’re really good at baseball.”
The Bearcats will rely on a strong rotation, one that posted a team ERA of 2.06 last season and helped them reach the district title game.
Ozretich posted an ERA of 1.56 and struck out 40 in 40 innings, and Coleman struck out 45 and had an ERA of 2.15 in 35 innings. Coleman is working back from a foot injury, but he appeared in a scrimmage against Rochester last week and is back to throwing 100 percent, according to his post on X (formerly Twitter).
Westlund only logged 18 innings on the mound last season, but he could be in line for more after striking out 23 batters and finishing with a 2.67 ERA.
Offensively, Elam is excited about the lineup's speed one through nine. He mentioned that any given batter could drop a bunt and reach base, and if they can consistently put bat to ball, they could give defenses trouble.
“If our pitchers can throw strikes and we can put the ball in play, it will be a good year,” Elam said.
It’s a group that will be tested early and often.
A potential matchup against Ellensburg was called off due to weather conditions on the pass, but the Bearcats are still in line to face several other state contenders in the early part of the season.
That begins in a tournament in Ridgefield on Friday. They’ll face Othello on Friday, and the rest of the tournament field includes teams like Columbia River, North Kitsap, Lynden, Ridgefield, Fife, and Anacortes.
“Right off the bat, you’re into a tough schedule,” Elam said.
It’s a challenge that Elam will easily accept.
“We’re just excited to play,” Elam said. “I’m so ready to play.”
