Courtesy article by Gerardo Bolong

PUYALLUP - Under gray skies and persistent rain showers, the Seattle Christian softball team added extra sunshine to its season by clinching the 2015 Nisqually 1A championship in a 16-0 walloping of Cascade Christian in five innings on Tues., May 12.

SC will open district action on May 23 in an 11 a.m. game at the Sprinker Recreation Center in Spanaway against the winner of Olympic #3 and Nisqually #2, but will stay active with non-league home games against Seamount League champion 3A Kennedy Catholic (May 14) and Seamount second place 2A Highline (May 19).

Seattle Christian (7-1 league) wielded heavy hitting hammers immediately against Cascade Christian.
Leadoff hitter Kelli Ronish bunted herself on base to open the proceedings. Lisa Kumasaka doubled deeply to center field, positioning runners on second and third bases, respectively. Up came Carlee Ronish, who reached base on an infield throwing error as two runs scored.

Continuing the carnage, Alyssa Baucom was hit by a pitch ahead of Abby Hay's run-scoring ground out to first base. Taelor Willhoite then concluded the scoring with a line drive, RBI single.

Firing their heavy artillery with regularity, the Warriors blasted away for a seven run second inning while sending 11 batters to the plate.

After a scoreless third inning, Seattle Christian punched home a single fourth inning run before firing away for a four-run fifth inning to also complete its hitting barrage with 19 hits in the encounter.

Players contributed well in major or minor roles in another terrific team effort.

Pitcher Baucom escaped a one-out, runners on first and second bases threat by snaring a line drive directed towards herself and throwing to shortstop Lisa Kumasaka to double the runner off second base en route to a five-inning three-hitter with four strike outs and no walks with error free support from the defense. The hard throwing right hander also batted 2-for-3 while scoring three runs.

"I had my defense to back me up and I was hitting my spots," she said.

First baseman Kogle batted 3-for-3 with a triple and RBI was pleased with the opportunity to contribute.
"I'm really excited," she said. "I loved being able to go out and help when I could. I just went up hungry."
Willhoite threw to first base from right field for a force out and showed a powerful contribution at the plate, batting 4-for-4 with a triple, RBI and one run scored.

"It's been a lot of work and dedication," the stalwart senior said. "It's nice to be rewarded for all the hard work."

Several other Warrior players enjoyed good days at bat.

Kumasaka and Kelli Ronish each batted 3-for-4 while scoring three runs. Kumasaka also drove home a pair of runs. Madisen Fors (2-for-4) and Abby Hay (1-for-4) had three RBI apiece as they both score two runs.

Freshman reserve Hannah Glynn saw action in the field with a short stint at second base in preparation for the postseason.

Pacing the Cougar batters were Mallory Eckroth, Kenzie Holden and Kylie Batholomew who each had one hit in two at bats.