Moshier Park was the sunny and warm setting as the Highline High School girls fastpitch softball team brightened its day by clinching at least a share of the 2012 Seamount League regular season championship with a four-inning 15-0 shut out against visiting Evergreen on Monday, May 7.

Highline finished with a 13-1 league record (13-3 overall) while Kennedy Catholic stood at 11-1 (12-1 overall) on this date with two games remaining on its schedule. Both title contenders also have non-league matchups pending.

Each team has already qualified for sub-district play on May 19 at the Puyallup Sports Complex and sports a win against each other and could finish as co-champions.

"Our team has good relationships with each other as well as skilled athletes," said third-year Pirate head coach Julie Young. "They are team players who have played a long time together. We look forward to reaching state (after a one-year absence). At district we're capable of playing well enough to get there."

After the Wolverines missed an opportunity to score with runners on first and third with two outs, the Pirates began their plunder in the home half of the first inning. Sierra Flanagan's run-scoring single and Mikki Haury's bases loaded walk brought forth two HHS runs.

Evergreen third baseman Mau Savasu minimized the damage to her team by snaring a hard hit line drive and stepping on third base to double off a runner earlier in the at bat as Highline had placed runners on second and third to lead off Highline's lineup.

In the second inning, the Pirates ransacked the Wolverines for five runs. One hit batter followed by a walk began the assault. One infield pop out later another walk loaded the bases for the deadly clean up batter Flanagan, who drove the ball high and deep over the left fielder's head, chasing the base runners home with herself in hot pursuit for a grand slam, inside the park four - bagger. Taylor Gower later reached home from third base when the Wolverine catcher overthrew the third baseman with two outs. Gower had originally gotten on base by way of a single to left field.

Highline maintained the 7-0 margin until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Pirates made the Wolverines walk the plank to final defeat.

Hope McElwaine's leadoff walk enabled courtesy runner Natalie Michel to replace her and eventually reach scoring position for Gower to rifle an RBI single. Two consecutive walks loaded the bases for Rayna McElwain to slam home two runs on a single with two out.

Evergreen had a chance to gain the third out on an infield grounder and force the fifth inning, but the infielder was unable to decide where to throw, causing all runners to be safe. Sierra Flanagan slammed a run home to make the score 10-0. By the time12 batters had faced Wolverine pitching, the Pirates had caused the game to be stopped. Haury's two-run single officially closed out the matchup.

Taylor Gower pitched a complete game two-hitter with nine strikeouts (all the Pirate putouts in the first three innings).

Pirate team members are anxious to meet the Lancers again after losing a 9-6 decision to KC in the squad's most recent encounter.

"We're really solid," said Megan Beswetherick. "We want to play Kennedy, again. Our all-around goal is sportsmanship."

An added feature was Highline senior day. Meghan Beswetherick, Rayna McElwain, Michelle Pfingston and Casey Young were honored.

As a symbolic gesture for Young, who has been unable to play all season due to reconstructive surgery for a torn ligament on her left thumb, her mother, coach Young, started her at first base. After one pitch, the senior athlete was replaced in the field by Haury.

Sporting a cast on her left hand and arm, the HHS senior recalled her feelings.

"It was exciting to feel a little closure to my career," she said.

Other Pirate players truly enthused about their upcoming chances.

"We're really supportive of each other and keep each other up," said Michelle Pfingston.

As for Evergreen, head coach Ron Angeles was pleased about the team development.

"They gave a strong effort," he said. "The team is young and inexperienced, but they compete and get along well. I enjoy coaching them."

Flanagan batted 3-for-4 with a homer, double and six RBI while Rayna McElwain batted 2-for-3 with a double and two RBI. Gower finished with a 2-for-2 day including a double and RBI.