Article Courtesy of Gerardo Bolong

Nisqually 2016 1A League softball champion Seattle Christian is in the process of playing tough non-league opponents on the way to the May 20-21 West Central District III tournament as it attempts to earn a return visit to the state tournament after winning the first two games last season before bowing out.

As of Wed., May 11, the Lady Warriors had assembled a 9-0 first place league record and a 13-1 overall mark.

Among their league wins have been four victories by two runs or less and five blowouts with a differential of at least seven runs. Seattle Christian's non league wins show 6-5 triumphs against 3A Kennedy Catholic and 3A Hazen as well as a 7-0 defeat of Evergreen conference 1A Eatonville. A 17-1 pasting of 3A Metro League Bishop Blanchet rounds out the non league wins. 3A Metro League Ballard edged out Seattle Christian 8-7.

"We have outstanding depth," said head coach Rick Ronish. "Most teams have three or four top players, but we go deeper."

Many of last season's state veterans returned for another push forward. Senior All-League and All-State Lisa Kumasaka returns for her senior year as a top flight pitcher and shortstop. Junior Carlee Ronish is back as a pitcher and third baseman. Her cousin Kelli Ronish brings back outstanding skills at the leadoff batter position as well as a wealth of talent at first base, shortstop or third base. Senior Abby Hay calls a smart, tactical game at catcher as part of an outstanding assemblage of team consistency. Makenzie May and Madisen Fors lend experienced hands in the outfield.

This season's edition of Warrior softball includes players Kelli Ronish, Madisen Fors, Carlee Ronish, Abby Hay, Hannah Ruffcorn (injured three weeks ago), Grace Harwell, Mikayla Kogle, Lisa Kumasaka, Lexi Bates, Makenzie May, Hannah Glynn, Ava Louie, Megan Holm Berg, Leanne Beardsley, Natalie Vittitow and Charlize Stovall. Freshmen Beardsley and Stovall are new players introduced to the mix.
SC's solid, experienced coaching staff includes assistants Scott Hay, Randy Ronish and Kara Kogle augmented by volunteer assistant coaches Dick Ronish and Brian Kumasaka.

On Thurs., May 12, the Lady Warriors took the short jaunt to Burien for a non league encounter against playoff bound Highline at Moshier Field. The 2A Pirates at the time were tied for third place in the Seamount League behind 3A schools Kennedy Catholic (champion) and Hazen.

Under blue skies at the sun-drenched field, the squads engaged in solid warm ups and awaited the umpires as an expectant crowd gradually inhabited the area for the 3:30 p.m. scheduled start. And they waited. And they waited. And they waited some more.

By 4:15 p.m., the congregation of players, coaches, audience and a sports reporter had engaged in enough good repartee and departed the field for future endeavors with the umpires still not in attendance. Each team registered no hits, no runs, no errors and no one left on base.

Highline moved on to defeat Lindbergh on Friday to take third place in league at 10-4 (10-7 overall), securing the top Seamount 2A seed to West Central District at Sprinker Recreation on May 20-21.

Seattle Christian visited second place SPSL 2A Orting on Friday and took a loss to move its overall record to 13-2.