TACOMA--Kennedy played double your dynasty, and won.

The Lancers captured their second straight Class 3A state fastpitch softball tournament title with a 5-1 victory over Timberline Saturday, May 24.

Timberline came into the game with a 26-0 overall record, finishing at 26-1.

So this year's title was even on the unexpected side for Kennedy.

"We won," a voice doubtfully exclaimed in the crowd of Kennedy players, emphasizing the word we. "We won."

Now the Lancers have a three-peat to look for as a target next year, although most were just looking at this year's title.

They hoisted this year's trophy high posing for photographers -- professional, parental and peers.

Leading the team in the championship as well as through the rest of the year was senior pitcher Karli Merlich.

Merlich posted a complete game victory, allowing only one run on five hits and striking out 10. She hit 3-for-4 with a double, one run scored and two RBI.

"She led us offensively as well," said Kennedy head coach Dino Josie. "She does what it takes. Karli is the heart and soul of this team and catcher Lindsy Dugan is the brains of this team. She's the quarterback of our defense and she powers our offense. She's like a coach on our field. She calms everybody down."

Merlich is also impressed with her battery mate.

"She's a tough person," Merlich said.

Merlich also ranks as a "tough person" after playing with a knee injury sustained the week before.

"I was sore, but I pushed through and we made it," Merlich said. "It's a definite team win."

The Lancers put the pressure on Timberline early, with Merlich hitting a single and advancing to third on an outfield error.

Both runners were stranded on a pop fly to first base.

Timberline then became the first team to score as the Blazers picked up a run in the bottom of the third.

Megan Birge singled and stole second to spark the Timberline rally, then scored on a double down the left fieldline by teammate Gatalina Schuster.

Schuster stole third, but was stranded by a pair of strikeouts.

Kennedy scored all five of its runs in the top of the fifth. Ashley Davis led off with a single to right field, then Jamie Yellam and Kelsey Trautmann bunted into back-to-back singles. Peggy Mathison singled in Davis, then Merlich provided the big blow -- a double to deep left field for two RBI. Merlich and Mathison scored on a base hit by Dugan.

Merlich got the first two Timberline batters to strike out in the bottom of the fifth, then got into a jam on a hit and two walks. But Merlich caught a popout to end the threat and went on to hold on for the victory.

"Timberline is a good club," Josie said. "Both teams were in the final in the same district."

Kennedy won four straight games to take the title in the action at the South End Recreation Area in Tacoma.

The first was a 5-2 victory over Issaquah. Merlich struck out eight in a complete game win, with the game decided by a tiebreaker in the top of the ninth. The Lancers started off the inning with a runner already on second and wound up staging a four-run rally. Issaquah could only muster one and lost.

Merlich was near perfect in a 3-0 win over North Central of Spokane in its second game.

She allowed only a walk in the first inning and a single with two outs in the seventh. Merlich struck out 11.

Kennedy also scored five runs in the top of the seventh and final inning of its third game against Everett. Merlich and Jessica Lewis doubled for the Lancers and Dugan launched a two-run home run. Jamie Yellam hit a two-run single and scored on a Trautmann sacrifice fly.

That set the stage for the championship trophy in a 5-1 game.

Kennedy players this year included Jenni Grosz, Jamie Yellam, Tracy Hughes, Maggie Whaley, Kelsey Trautmann, Jessica Lewis, Peggy Mathison, Shelly Donohue, Lindsay O'Connell, Lindsy Dugan, Sabrina Budner, Emily Lockett, Ashley Engel, Ashley Davis, Karli Merlich, Amy Bassett and Jenny Donohue.

Josie was assisted by Mike Trautmann, Jim Perkins, Jennifer Jinka, Bridgett Cabiles and Jeff Jinka.