Courtesy article by Gerardo Bolong

Nisqually 1A League softball champion Seattle Christian scoured away its game rustiness in a six-inning 15-5 demolition of visiting Seamount 2A No.1 seed to district Highline as part of final preparations for a West Central District 11:00 a.m. match up on Sat., May 23., at Spanaway's Sprinker Recreation Center. The Warriors completed a three-game unbeaten streak against Seamount League foes and will face the Klahowya versus Cascade Christian winner at Spanaway's Sprinker Recreation Center. Highline moved on to a Fri., May 22, district opener against Sammamish, also at Sprinker.

"It took us awhile to get started," head coach Rick Ronish said. "We're rust because we haven't played for a week. The bats finally woke up. This will be a good carry over to the weekend (at district)."

Highline High School's Pirates put the squeeze on Seattle Christian from the outset with Thalia Perez slamming home two runs on a first inning single. After the Perez single, Courtney Maddox walked to load the bases with one out. The Warriors then escaped further damage when second baseman Kelli Ronish caught a pop fly and threw to catcher Abby Hay for the tag on the runner rushing from third base. snared a line drive that was directed right at her and completing a double play by throwing to catcher Abby Hay for the tag on the runner trying to score from third base..

Answering back immediately, the Warriors began with a Kelli Ronish bunt single before Lisa Kumasaka fired a ground rule double over the right fielder's head. Carlee Ronish plated one runner on an infield ground out ahead of Baucom's run-scoring ground out.

In the second inning, Seattle Christian grabbed the lead.

With one out and a runner on second base, Makenzie May flipped a pop up just to the left of the pitcher's mound. The Pirate players were caught looking as the ball plopped to the ground for an infield single. Kelli Ronish grounded out to produce one run. Next up was Kumasaka who ripped an RBI single for a 4-2 SC lead.

Highline sailed back on a one-out third inning rally. Jennifer Hovland doubled and was advanced to third base by Perez infield single. Maddox slammed a double to right field, scoring the two runners and giving HHS a 4-4 tie.

Back came Seattle Christian in the bottom of the inning with two runs on three hits to regain the lead for the Warriors at 6-4.

Madisen Kelly's RBI infield out drew Highline within 6-5 in the fourth inning, but Carlee Ronish singled home a run for the Warriors in the same inning.

Leading 7-5, the Warriors unloaded mighty blasts in the fifth inning. Run-scoring singles by Makenzie May, Kelli Ronish, Kumasaka and Carlee Ronish plus a booming, run-scoring double from Baucom created a five-run Seattle Christian scoring salvo that produced a 12-5 dominance.

The mighty Warriors tacked on an additional three runs in the sixth to close out the event on the 10-run mercy rule.

Making her final home appearance, senior Baucom gutted out a complete game performance by shutting out the Pirates over the final two innings while also delivering a double and four RBI in four at bats.

"I was confident about my team behind me and just kept working," she said. "It (her final home game) was devastating in a way. Through tee-ball, middle school and high school, it's been crazy in a good way. It was a good way to be ending here."

Seattle Christian's other solid senior, Taelor Willhoite, batted 3-for-4 with two runs scored.

"The idea of leaving this team leaves me almost speechless," said the somewhat teary- eyed athlete. "I've really coveted the experiences on and off the field."

Head coach Ronish and the team honored the seniors with their parents after the game with a few gifts and statements about their great careers as athletes and as individuals.

Besides Baucom and Willhoite, Seattle Christian had a seemingly plethora of players pounding away in their 20-hit outbreak.

Kumasaka batted 4-for-5 in a three RBI, two runs scored performance. Also batting 4-for-5 was Kelli Ronish who delivered two runs while also scoring a trio of runs. Abby Hay scored two runs as she batted 3-for-4. Carlee Ronish left the field of battle after hitting 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. May batted 2-for-3 with an RBI. Mikayla Kogle was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Megan Holmberg was 1-for-1 with two RBI.

Perez paced Highline in a 2-for-3 hitting day that included two RBI. Hovland was also 2-for-3 while scoring a run. Maddox batted 1-for-2 and hit home two runs. Madison Kelly was 1-for-3 with an RBI and run scored.