New coach, same result for Lake Stevens softball

One of the newest members of the Lake Stevens softball team is excited to make her state debut today.

Vikings head coach Sarah Hirsch.

The first-year coach is eager to lead Lake Stevens as the Vikings head back to the 4A state tournament for the second consecutive year.

“The girls haven’t done much talking about (state) this year,” Hirsch said. “I knew that’s where they wanted to go. I interviewed and chatted at the beginning of the year and that’s where I wanted to go.”

Hirsch said now that the Vikings, who face Walla Walla in their opener Friday at 10 a.m. in Spokane, have the nerves of being at state for the first time out of the way, they can prepare to make a deep run at this year’s tournament.

“I think they have a little team motivation just because of how last year played out,” Hirsch said. “We’ve tried not to live in the past, but I think it helps having already been there and knowing what to expect. The ‘Oh my gosh, it’s our first time’ butterflies aren’t there anymore. Now we’re going to play our game.

“We’ve gone one game at a time all year and I think that’s going to be our biggest key. Just do the same thing we’ve done all year. We’re just out playing another softball game. Just had to go across the state to do it.”