BY GERARDO BOLONG
Special to the West Seattle Herald

SPANAWAY - For everything there is a season and for Seattle Christian the 2017 girls fastpitch softball season finally ended with an 8-3 defeat at the hands of Coupeville on Sat., May 20, at Sprinker Field No. 4 in a loser-out game of West Central District III.

The Warriors started energetically, exuding optimism.

After catcher Kelli Ronish threw a runner out at second base to help stifle a Wolves first inning threat she led off the SC home half with a ground single to right field. Eventually reaching third base on a sequence of a wild pitch and Madisen Fors' ground out, Ronish easily scored by on a Carlee Ronish foul out to the right fielder.

In the second inning, Seattle Christian attacked with one out. Hannah Glynn shot a single up the middle with freshman Taylor Hegland following up on her own one-baser. Another SC freshman ,Kelsey Wieland, sliced an opposite field RBI single to left field before advancing to second base on the throw in. Junior Madisen Fors delivered a run on her single as SC led 3-0.

Coupeville hammered home five runs in the third inning to take a 5-3 lead.

Lexi Bates singled and Makenzie May walked to start the SC third, but advanced no further.

Through true feistiness, the Warriors hung tough to stay close, loading the bases in the fifth as their final, strong threat for further scoring.

The Wolves tacked on a single run in the sixth inning on a Lauren Rose base hit before Katrina McGranahan and Mikayla Elfrank each cleared the fence for solo homers.

McGranahan led the Coupeville offense with a single and home run. Rose and Tamika Nastali collected two hits apiece. McGranahan pitched shutout ball for the final five innings to earn a route-going Coupeville win.
For Seattle Christian, Fors, Bates and Kelli Ronish each batted 2-for-4.

Without strong power hitting, this group scrapped mightily for all it could muster.

Head coach Rick Ronish could be heard praising this group of coaches and teary-eyed players for their accomplishments with an emphasis on such components as "getting a lot out of a little, growing all together on the same field, getting good support from the under class, and being the engine with the coaches as the drivers".
"Ii's been a great run," an emotional Warrior head coach Rick Ronish exclaimed. "The last half dozen years have been a blast. The camaraderie has made it a special place."

Six sterling seniors ended their fast pitch careers after creating the rides of a lifetime.

Lexi Bates developed into a solid left fielder and came on strong as a hitter, becoming the clean up batter at the end of the season.

Natalie Vittitow continually supported the front line players.

Kelli Ronish epitomized excellence throughout her endeavors.

Mackenzie May toiled tirelessly in center field and summed up what many senior thought.
"All these years with theses coaches has been amazing," May said. "There were so many great memories."
Carlee Ronish demonstrated a high level of toughness under adverse conditions.

Grace Harwell worked hard wherever she was placed.

Rostered players for district participant Seattle Christian (9-8-1 ) are Charlize Stovall, Lilyan Turner, Natalie Vittitow, Leanne Beardsley, Kaitlyn Royal, Ava Louie, Hannah Glynn, Makenzie May, Lexi Bates, Kelsey Wieland, Taylor Hegland, Grace Harwell, Carlee Ronish, Madisen Fors and Kelly Ronish.

Assisting head coach Rick Ronish are Scott Hay, Brian Kumasaka, Dick Ronish and Randy Ronish.