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Sports

Streak Buster: Mercer Island Softball Picks up First Win Since 2008

The Mercer Island High School softball team beat Federal Way earlier this week for its first win since 2008.

Coaches preach the same message across all sports. It's not all about wins and losses. It's about putting out the best effort possible.

Mercer Island High School head softball coach Jessica Steinle has had to rely on that message more than most during her five years at the helm of the Islanders. Coming into the season, the program had won just two games in four years and none since 2008. 2011 was shaping up to be more of the same, as Mercer Island dropped its first eight games of the season.

But on April 20, the Islanders ended a contest in a way un-accustomed to the tough-luck program: with a win.

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Mercer Island rolled over Federal Way 11-1 in a non-league matchup for the programs first win since 2008.

The Islanders were far from the dominance implied by the score, cranking out just seven hits en route to the 11 runs, but took advantage of some fielding mistakes by the Vikings and played solid defense to secure the win. Regardless of the route taken, the win was more than welcomed by Steinle.

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"I can honestly say that I cried a little," Steinle said. "It kind of just gave a little relief.

"It has not been an easy ride for the Islanders, who have become used to losing games by 10, even 20 runs. But the win against Federal Way offered some temporary relief and lent some credence to Steinle's message for the team heading into the season.

"We've been working all year and we've been saying that we have all the pieces, we've just never been able to put them together," Steinle said. "I finally feel that we were able to do that against Federal Way.

"Mercer Island has been hampered by an experience disparity that exists between it and its opponents. Most, if not all, of the Islander players do not play softball outside of the season, while most opponents have multiple select players on their roster.

"It's in particularly challenging because almost every team we play against has select players and my girls pick up a mitt in the spring and put it down at the end of the season," Steinle said.

Steinle has been impressed by the resolve of her players in the face of the losing streak, particularly their dedication to practice after tough losses.

"No other team would lose by 20 runs and come out to practice and work hard, but my girls do," Steinle said. "They have more heart than any team I've ever coached."

Steinle is hopeful that an improvement in the Mercer Island Little League system will help the program in the future. Because of more popular sports on the Island such as Lacrosse and water sports, many players quit playing softball at a young age.

"Our little league program, it's building, but it's not that strong for girls," Steinle said. "Most of them quit playing softball around the fifth grade and start playing lacrosse and water polo.

"The future may hold better times for the Mercer Island softball program, but, for now, Steinle and her team will settle for a win in the face of adversity.

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