WARDEN — The Wahluke Lady Warriors made history on Tuesday, earning their first trip to district competition in fastpitch program history.

A 14-1 play-in game win over Toppenish in the 1A District 5 tournament sets up a matchup with No. 1 seed College Place on Thursday.

“Just all the girls,” Wahluke fastpitch head coach Jenna Wirtzberger said, crediting how they made it this far. “They’ve all worked so hard, they’ve become great competitors.”

Wirtzberger, who is in her first season as head coach of the team, has already made an impact. After going 1-13 last season, the Lady Warriors are heading to district play for the first time in school history.

“We ended this season with five wins,” Wirtzberger said. “I don't know the last time that happened.”

Not just turning the team around, but building a bigger fastpitch program is something Wirtzberger set out to do when she took on the coaching role. She said it was encouraging to see the program spark interest in the younger students at Wahluke Junior High.

“It’s great to see these younger players interested,” Wirtzberger said.

The Lady Warriors have five seniors on their team, and their presence has been a significant influence, Wirtzberger said. The first-year coach credits the leadership and encouraging nature of the older players as a factor in the team’s turnaround.

“Our seniors have been great leaders,” Wirtzberger said. “Both on and off the field.

They do a good job of encouraging the girls.”

Over the season several of the players on Wahluke have stood out, Wirtzberger said. She mentioned how sophomore shortstop Salma Martinez had greatly improved; how senior pitcher Ellee Marlow’s pitching had been a positive for the team; and how sophomore Madison Harlow and junior Taylor Bangs’ offensive outputs had been clutch.

Wahluke will face off against College Place on Thursday at 4 p.m. at College Place High School.

Now with a chance to upset the No. 1 team in District 5, Wirtzberger knows she can rely on her senior players to step up once again, and mentor the younger girls to follow suit.

“Every senior knows their roles,” Wirtzberger said.

Wahluke has faced off against College Place twice this season, with both games being losses. Wirtzberger believes the Lady Warriors have what it takes to pull off the upset over the Lady Hawks.

“Coming in with a game plan and shaking things up,” Wirtzberger said when asked what it’ll take to pull off the upset. “Hopefully we can keep them on their toes.”

Ian Bivona can be reached at [email protected].