Courtesy article by Gerardo Bolong

Bellevue Christian blistered 17 hits, but still had to play eight innings before subduing Seattle Christian in a Nisqually 1A softball battle in SeaTac on Fri., May 1.

With the win, the Vikings put some pressure on the Warriors by ending the SC league unbeaten status while also closing within one game of league leading Seattle Christian (5-1). The Warriors travel to Lindbergh for a non leaguer on Mon., May 4, before hosting Cascade Christian on Wed., May 6, in a league match up.

"They played better than we did," SC head coach Rick Ronish said. "Their pitcher was improved and they got timely hits. We left too many runners on base and couldn't get key hits. They (the Vikings) took advantage of their base runners."

An improved Bellevue Christian unit came out swinging to score two runs on four hits in the first inning.
A Bellevue Christian error and a Kelli Ronish bunt single set up up Lisa Kumasaka to hit an RBI single, but left fielder Celine Rosar threw out the runner attempting to score from second base.

The Vikings added another run after Jensen Tarber's triple and Becca Jewitt's sacrifice fly in the third inning before the Warriors countered in the fourth inning. Carlee Ronish drew a one-out walk ahead of a fly out. Taelor Willhoite spun a swing bunt single and the home team had runners on first and second.. On a wild pitch both runners moved up and Ronish scored on an infield error to draw Seattle Christian within 3-2.
Making the Warrior comeback task more formidable, Jasmine Hathaway slammed a two-run single in the BC fifth for a 5-2 margin.

In the bottom of the inning, Kelli Ronish sliced an opposite field double and Kumasaka followed with an RBI single that caromed off the pitcher's mitt toward first base to keep the Warriors in striking range.
This encounter still had a few plot twists to come before a final enlightenment could be seen.

In the seventh inning, Seattle Christian faced tough trials and tribulations, but displayed great character to stay in contention.

Leading 5-3, the Vikings threatened to tear the proceedings apart. Jensen Tarber and Jewitt notched consecutive singles before Erin Smith was intentionally walked to load the bases with no outs.

Seattle Christian refused to wilt under the strain.

Lisa Kumasaka, who had entered the game in relief on the second Bellevue Christian batter of the inning, buckled down to force an infield foul out and two consecutive strike outs to keep the game close.

Left handed batting Kelli Ronish laid down a superb bunt single, for which she has shown a great adeptness this season. Kumasaka replaced Ronish on first after an infield, fielder's choice ground out. Up to the plate stepped Alyssa Baucom who took a 1-and-1 count pitch far over the left fielder's head for a resounding run-scoring triple that made the score 5-4. One ground out later, Baucom was still perched on third base with two outs.

At this point, Seattle Christian tried to pull off an old trick play after Carlee Ronish drew a base on balls. Venturing halfway to second base, Ronish attempted to draw a throw from the catcher. Normally, the catcher would be instructed to avoid throwing down because of fear that the runner on third base would score.

Apparently, Bellevue Christian was not expecting Baucom, who is better known for power than fleetness of foot, to advance on the throw.

"I just had my mind made up because we needed to score," said Baucom about her barreling to home.

Stunning many in attendance, the star Warrior athlete was determined to go for it and made an excellent feet first slide to get under the catcher's tag after the second baseman threw home and the game reached a new status in a 5-5 deadlock. Three consecutive walks loaded the base, but Bellevue pitcher Katie Pippel induced an infield ground out on a 3-and-2 count to end the inning.

With two outs in the eighth, the Vikings resumed their battering attack for four-runs and the Warriors were unable to answer.

Kelli Ronish batted 4-fo-5 with one run scored for the Warriors. Kumasa htit one run home and scored a run in a 2-for-5 day at bat. Carlee Ronish was 1-for-1 and scored a run.

For Bellevue Christian, Tarbert batted 3-for-4 with a triple and three runs scored. Pippel pitched a complete game while nbatting 3-for-5 with a double. Jewitt hit 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI while also scoring two runs. Erin Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.

With this loss behind them, the Warriors will remember, but work to get better.