Sunny Moshier Park was the bright setting as the Highline Pirates baseball team calmly concentrated for a 13-0 Seamount League win against Renton on Friday, April 13.

Highline improved its overall record to 9-1 and second place league record to 7-1 with key match ups against league leading Lindbergh (7-0), fourth place Hazen and third place Kennedy Catholic looming on the horizon. Lindbergh defeated Highline 9-4 while HHS edged out Hazen 5-3 in previous encounters this season.

The reasons for the continued success of the Pirates are clear.

"We're always focusing on the details, even when we're in blowout games," said Highline head coach Dave Larson. "Our goal today was having a goose egg which gives us three (goose eggs) in a row. We substitute liberally and find a special competition within the game."

On Friday, the Pirates jumped all over the visitors in the first inning. Jonny Locher led off with a walk and then stole two bases. Combined with Mitch McCartney's base on balls and Jacob Wydick's walk, HHS loaded the bases.

Renton pitchers had great difficulty locating home plate as three consecutive Pirate batters forced in runs on walks. Jonny Rhodes was hit by a pitch for another run before Ryan Ward doubled home two runs in a six-run first inning.

The persistent Pirates tacked on three runs in the third inning and an additional four runs in the fourth inning as the game ended after five innings on the 10-run mercy rule.

Ryan Ward allowed one hit over the first three innings to earn the victory while lefty hurler Jacob Wydick pitched no-hit ball with three strike outs in the game ending two innings.

Locher batted 2-for-2 with a triple, three RBI and two stolen bases for Highline in the encounter that featured numerous walks and hit batsmen from the visitors' pitching staff.

Led by nine seniors who have played together during all four seasons, the Pirates seek further long term success with steady pitching and strong fundamental skills.