Last season’s 2023 Roosevelt Fastpitch team came swinging into the season with an energy that left opponents and fans on the edge of their seats. Despite falling short of the championship last season, their remarkable 21-8 record solidified the Roughriders’ place to be one of the top contenders in Washington state for the 2024 season.
Ranked 33rd in Washington state, Roosevelt showcased their skill throughout a successful 2023 season, asserting their dominance in district play with a flawless 15-0 conference record, leading them to being the No. 1 team in the Metro League.
Offensively, the team was a force to be reckoned with, holding an impressive .441 team batting average. In a total of 929 plate appearances, Roosevelt managed to rack up 267 runs scored, 353 hits, and 256 runs batted in. The Roughriders’ power hitting at the plate was obvious, with 79 doubles, 19 triples, and 25 home runs showcasing their ability.
Captain and senior, Steffi Young, showed her strength on the pitching rubber, striking out 160 batters throughout the season. Behind the plate catching was Roosevelts’ stud catcher and center field, Maddie Lee. Offensively, Lee comprised a .620 batting average, coupled with her impressive 40 RBIs, 43 runs, and 37 stolen bases, which solidified her as a key player in the team’s success.
Rolling into the 2023 WIAA State Fastpitch Tournament as the No.5 seed, the Roughriders faced off against No.12 seed, Kennewick, defeating them by one run. Continuing their run at state, Roosevelt faced off against a strong No.1 seed, The Peninsula Seahawks, in the semifinals.
Kicking off the game with hot bats, Roosevelt batted in 3 runs in both the first and second innings. Going into the third inning 6-3, the Roughriders didn’t know what was ahead of them, Peninsula started swinging and never stopped. The Seahawks added one run in the third inning and tallied up four more in the fifth inning, putting Peninsula up 8-6. With the No.1 seed not looking to go down, the Seahawks added three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. One game away from a glorious title, the Roughriders fell short to the Seahawks 11-6 in a well fought battle.
As the season closed, the team said goodbye to two seniors: Madison Bennani and Steffi Young. Looking ahead to the future with optimism and determination, the Roughriders are bound to be a competitive contender in the 2024 season. With a strong start, including a 6-4 victory against Ballard High School, Roosevelt High School’s fastpitch team looks to build off last season’s success and chase a WIAA 3A championship.
