In the seven years she’s coached the Kentridge High fastpitch team, Julie Simonson has never seen a more dedicated group of girls.

“I think the athletes really buy into what our team philosophy is and just kind of working together and making (it) a team first mentality,” she said.

In past years, the Chargers have done well for themselves on the diamond, taking fifth in the South Puget Sound League North Division last year. But coming into this season with a relatively young team, they had a major setback to overcome.

“We graduated 11 kids last year,” Simonson said. “It was a very different lineup.”

But you would never know it, not by the way Kentridge consistently fought their way up the ladder this season, making it all the way to second place in league with a 9-4 record heading into the final regular season games this week.

The Chargers returned five girls this season, including center fielder Anna Dugan and pitcher Lizzet Dominguez. Both are captains of the team.

“They’ve just grown as leaders,” Simonson said, “and they help this team just do what’s right and work as a team. They keep it to where everybody is having fun, everybody fits in, and we do this all as a team.”

Dominguez, who’s pitched a total of 89.2 innings, helped the Chargers beat Kentlake 7-2 last week. She struck out seven. Dugan, batting .367, scored two runs against Auburn Riverside last week, helping the Chargers sweep the Ravens, 10-0. Other returners include shortstop Bri Drury, second baseman Jessica Torlai and catcher Emily Ross.

“Their goals were to finish one or two in league,” Simonson said. “Our offensive goal was to hit .325 as a team, and we had a defensive goal to keep it below two errors a game. So far, we’re meeting them all.”

The fight isn’t quite over for the Chargers. They wrapped up the regular season this week and then the playoffs start. Simonson is confident they can push through.

“They’re just positive, energetic and fun,” Simonson said. “And they’re competitive and want to win.”