By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

BELLINGHAM--Highline took the first step but came up shy of the second in baseball state Class 2A regional action Saturday.

The Pirates prevailed in their first game at Joe Martin Stadium in Bellingham by a 5-4 score over Burlington-Edison, immediately advancing them into a second loser-out game on the same field.

In what amounted to a state quarterfinal, Highline suffered a 3-0 shutout loss at the hands of Mountlake Terrace.

Mountlake Terrace advances instead to the state semifinals that will take place Friday in Yakima with the championship and third place games to follow there Saturday.