Highline's valiant bid to survive until second day action in the Class 3A West Central/Southwest Bi-District fastpitch tournament was only three outs away from being realized, but Auburn Mountainview snatched away the chance with a two-run bottom of the seventh inning rally for a 5-4 victory.
Making their first district appearance in 10 years, the Pirates performed admirably in defeat.
"The girls played really well and did a great job," exulted first-year Highline head coach Julie Young. "They fought hard and the girls had a fantastic season. I'd take them all over again. I'm really proud of them. We weren't expected to be here."
On Saturday afternoon at the Sprinker Recreation Center fields, Highline took the lead in the top of the second inning. Tyler Sanchez reached first base on an infield error with only one out. One strikeout later, Miriam Santana drove a long fly ball triple down the left-field line for a 1-0 Pirate lead. Rayna McElwain followed with a single and Highline led, 2-0.
In the third inning, the Rams' Samantha Erben torched a leadoff single. Then came the big blow.
Mikki Haury drove the ball high and deep into the left center field gap for a two-run inside-the-park home run as the Pirates sailed ahead, 4-0.
Haury controlled the action from the action from the mound for Highline with four consecutive shut out innings backed by key defensive stops.
Auburn Mountainview broke through with a three-run fifth inning that ended after Haury struck out the last batter on a called third strike.
Highline placed runners on first and second base in the sixth inning with two outs, but failed to score.
Miriam Santana batted 2-for-4 with an RBI and a triple.
Earlier in the day, Highline played well while dropping a 5-1 verdict to Franklin Pierce. The Pirates managed only one hit.
The end of the season was tough, but a graduating senior remembered it fondly.
"It was fun coming in my senior year," said Erben. "This was a nice way to wrap up my senior year."
Highline tournament players were Sierra Flanagan, Samantha Erben, Mikki Haury, Meghan Beswetherick, Tyler Sanchez, Casey Young, Miriam Santana, Rayno McElwain, Michelle Pfingsten, Maraina Frabbiele and Brittany Stockley.
Assistant coaches were Mary Gollen, Amy Porter, Jason Pingsten and Lupe Herrera.
