By Gerardo Bolong
CONTRIBUTING WRITER

Seattle Christian has a multitude of reasons for why it can reprise its role as state participants following last year's banner season.

After being co-champions of the Nisqually 1A League last season plus beating Cedar Park 8-1 in the tie-breaker game, the Seattle Christian girls softball team went on to win the Tri-District tournament championship plus going 1-2 at state for ninth place.

SCS opened state action by defeating Medical Lake 10-8 before losing to Elma 14-0 and Okanogan 5-4.
Returning 15 of 17 players and 8 of 9 starters, the Warriors enthusiastically look to return to state action at an even higher caliber of play.

"This remains a young (two seniors) but fairly experienced team that is looking to return to state action for the fourth time in five years," said SCS coach Rick Ronish. "We have three solid pitchers and solid backups in nearly all positions."

First team league player Alyssa Baucom is back in her senior year to play pitcher and first base while hitting in the cleanup spot with expectations of having plenty of speedy base runners on base to drive home.

Extreme confidence permeates throughout the team's make up.

"This year's team has lots of good athletes and hitters," said Baucom. "We're also solid on defense with outstanding newcomers."

Lisa Kumasaka is also back as junior following a co-league MVP season. She will pitch and also anchor shortstop as one of the finest all-around players at the 1A level while being named a team tri-captain along with seniors Taelor Willhoite and Baucom.

"We need to keep playing as well as we can," Kumasaka said. "All our efforts need to be good. Besides being more experienced, we've gotten more aggressive and see the ball better off the bat."

After breaking her wrist halfway through last season and performing in the postseason with a cast on her right arm, Ronish returns in healthy condition.

Willhoite talked about talent as well as the driving influences for each team member.

"We are definitely going to state," she said."This team has natural talent as athletes, but also we have a different kind of passion. We play for each other and for the Lord."

In addition to Baucom and Kumasaka, other projected starters include junior Abby Hay (catcher), sophomore Makenzie May (center field), sophomore Carlee Ronish (third base, pitcher), sophomore Kelli Ronish (infield), junior Hannah Ruffcorn (third base/first base) and Willhoite (right field).

The rest of the squad features juniors Megan Holmberg (outfield), Erika Kaler (second base), and Mikayla Kogle (first base) plus sophomores Lexi Bates (outfield), Grace Harwell (outfield), Makayla Kaveny (outfield), Natalie Vittitow (outfield). Freshmen Madisen Fors (outfield), Hannah Glynn (second base) and Jocelyn Jordan (catcher) round out this talented squad.

Head coach Rick Ronish has veteran assistants Scott Hay, Rick Ronish and Brian Kumasaka on his coaching staff.

Weather permitting, Seattle Christian will play a pair of three-inning or one hour games in a high school jamboree at the Regional Athletic Center in Lacey on Sat., March 14. The other entrants are Franklin Pierce (Tacoma) and Kelso (Longview). Action next week includes a 3:30 p.m. game at Hazen on Mon., March 16, a March 18 home game against Foster in a 3:45 start time plus a Fri., March 20, 6 p.m. start at Auburn Mountainview.