Courtesy article by Gerardo Bolong

SPANAWAY - Late striking offense enabled the Seattle Christian Warriors softball team to bury Cascade Christian High School 13-1 in five innings on Sat., May 23, at the Sprinker Recreation Field No. 4 in semi-final action of the 2015 West Central District III 1A tournament.

The Warriors (15-4) qualified for the championship game to be held on the same day against the Chimacum Cowboys.

Home team Seattle Christian literally stole a run to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning.

After Kelli Ronish led off with one of her patented bunt singles, Lisa Kumasaka reached first base on an infield fielder's choice ground out. On an ensuing steal of second base, Kumasaka continued onward to third base when the catcher's found the spaces of center field. The advancement to third base proved critical because the Warrior athlete later reached home on a wild pitch.

Pitcher Kumasaka matched goose eggs with Cougar hurler Mallory Eckroth for the next two innings while continuing with a perfect game until there was one out in the top of the fourth inning. It was Jesica Haas who finally touched the smartly pitching Kumasaka for a soft single into the outfield. The next batter hit into a pitcher to shortstop force out, but Jamie Hoffman delivered a telling blow with an RBI single into the left center field gap to tie the game at 1-1.

At this point, the Seattle Christian offensive arsenal opened with everything it had in the home half of the inning.

Madisen Fors initiated the proceedings with a lead off base on balls. One out later, Kelli Ronish punched an opposite field single into left field followed by Kumasaka's two-run double. SC then scored on a wild pitch.
Leading 4-1, the Warriors continued the heavy bombardment for nine additional runs on an assortment of key hits among them a Kelli Ronish two RBI triple, another Kumasaka two-run double, a Carlee Ronish triple for one run and an Alyssa Baucom RBI.

In totality, Seattle Christian sent fifteen batters to the plate in a 12-run blow out.

In the top of the fifth, Cascade Christian was held scoreless to end the game by way of the 10-run mercy rule.

Kumasaka dominated the Cougar hitters on a three-hitter with seven strike outs and no walks.

As far as knowing about her perfect game possibilities, Kumasaka viewed it as a keep going on as usual matter.

"I just keep trying too get batters out," she said.

Kumasaka was also perfect from the plate in three at bats with the two doubles, four RBI and three runs scored.

Kelli Ronish finished with a 4-for-4 day including two RBI and a pair of runs scored while Baucom blistered the ball for two singles in three at bats with two RBI and two runs scored.