When sisters Alexa and Kelly Findley take the field for the Oak Harbor High School softball team, they have a weapon in their arsenal that few others possess — the power of twins.

“The most important aspect of softball is communication,” Alexa Findley said. “Kelly and I know one another so well that we can communicate on the field without talking. I know Kelly’s next move before she knows it herself. I’d say that is a pretty big advantage.”

“Most of the time we have this unspoken rhythm while we play because we have been together for so long,” Kelly Findley said. “This comes in handy when I’m playing at second base and she is playing shortstop. We can go through the motions and know what to do without talking to one another.”

The Wildcat seniors are entering their fourth year as starters for Oak Harbor, and their aim is to turn around a program that has won only nine games in the past three years.

With their playing experience and “twin sense,” along with a new coach and a talented freshman class, the pair hopes to push the Wildcats into the playoffs.

“My goal for this team,” Alexa said, “is to surprise the rest of Wesco. They won’t see what is coming.”

“My team goal is for us to work as one cohesive unit,” Kelly said. “I think we have the possibility to improve tremendously.”

As youngsters, Alexa was the first to give softball a try, and then two years later Kelly joined the sport.

“I got tired of watching her play and decided to start playing myself,” Kelly said.

After playing about 10 years together, this high school season could be the last time they share a diamond. Both will attend California Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks) next year, but only Alexa is slated to play softball.

The pair fell in love with Cal Lutheran when they visited the campus on a college tour for their older brother two years ago.

“It exceeded our expectations,” Kelly said. “It was our No. 1 pick from then on. We loved the atmosphere and the area surrounding the school.”

Alexa gained an added bonus with the school recruited her to play softball.

The Findleys received a taste of what it will be like not to play together when they played for different select club teams the past two high school off seasons.

“It will definitely be strange not playing side-by-side,” Alexa said. “However, Kelly is never not there. She is always at my games supporting me.”

Kelly echoed those thoughts, saying, “I will be at every single one of her games,” adding, “We have agreed to practice together when we have free time; I think softball will always be part of your lives.”

Softball is just that, only a part of their lives. Both are honor students — Alexa owns a 3.98 GPA and Kelly a 3.9 — while taking a number of advance placement classes.

They also are active in clubs, community service and student government.

Kelly is the student body president and Alexa is the senior class secretary.

Former coach Todd Showalter said the twins’ positive and team-first attitude is even greater than their impressive physical talent.

Both played out of position without complaint, he said, because they agreed it would be best for the team.

Kelly, he added, was team captain, a position usually held by a senior, even as a sophomore and junior and never worried about personal stats, just what could be accomplished to help the team win.

Alexa abandoned her usual spot at shortstop the past two years, volunteering to catch because that is where the team needed her most.

“She was never negative about the situation,” he said.

“Both sisters wanted the team to be successful and would do whatever they could to help out. The teams they played on were young and inexperienced, but they were the models of consistency and reliability to the program.”

Talented, intelligent, selfless — times two.