SPANAWAY - For the John F. Kennedy Catholic High School fastpitch softball team, Saturday, May 17, at the Sprinker Recreation Center turned into an anti-climax.

One day after Karli Merlich's pitching had led the defending state 3A champion Lancers to a return journey to state, JFK players performed at the West Central District tournament with Merlich resting her tender elbow on the sidelines.

During batting practice on Thursday before district, the Lancer ace pitcher suffered a hyperextension of her left (pitching) elbow. Although she managed to pitch on Friday, the elbow became sore enough to require icing and resting.

Without Merlich, Kennedy dropped two one-sided games to fall into the No. 6 seed to state.

"District is important, but state is more important," declared Merlich with an eye on being in condition to pitch at state.

The Burien-based Lancers fell to Timberline in the semifinals, 12-2, in six innings. Against the Blazers, Kennedy mustered only two hits. Ashley Davis batted 1-for-2 with a two-run homer in the second inning.

Enumclaw then pounded the Lancers 10-2. Davis again led the Kennedy batters with a 3-for-3 outing, including a triple.