Royals softball continues to dominate NWAC
By Davie Wong, Sports Editor
It’s been a long wait, but softball season is finally upon us. No one has been more excited than the Royals softball team. After last year’s deep run into the NWAC Championships, the team would love nothing more than a second chance at the NWAC title. Geared to do that, the team piled on the talent in the offseason. Now two games into the season, the squad looks like the best in the west.
The Royals started their season against the former division champs, the Bellevue Bulldogs. Having ended their season on a low last year due to the Royals, the feelings of animosity from both sides were very real. However, the Bulldogs slide was continuous, and it carried on from last season. Laura Baldry gave the Bellevue pitcher a nightmare whenever she came up to bat, ringing three hits and two RBI. Keeley Ainge gave up an unearned run on an error and struck out six as the Royals won 7–1 against the Bulldogs.
Normally, the second game is a spectacle, as teams are just tired. While not untrue for the Royals, the softball squad took it to a new level against the Bulldogs. The Royals ripped into the Bulldogs, with nearly every Royals player getting a hit in. Jordan Britten-Yung was clutch for her squad, as she batted in four runners. Kira Staley made a real showing of Bellevue’s batting rotation, striking out two and only allowing one hit in five innings. Dismantle would be a kind way to say things, as the Royals mercied the Bulldogs, 11–0 in five innings.
This weekend, the Royals played their first home games of the season against a visiting Everett Community College team. With Keeley Ainge on the pitching mound, the Trojans found it difficult to get anywhere. Two RBI from Kolby Hamilton really sealed the deal for the Everett team as the Royals closed out the game 5–2. Keeley Ainge finished the game with nine strikeouts, one unearned run, and one earned run.
Game two was supposed to be better for the Trojans, but the Royals had other plans. It didn’t take long for the Royals batters to see the Everett pitcher off the mound, lighting her up in one and two thirds innings for five hits and five runs. The Trojans relief pitcher fared no better, and the Royals put the fire to her as well, racking up seven hits and five runs. With Kira Staley pitching for the Royals, the team saw another mercy win in five innings. Staley finished with one strike out and two earned runs. Daniella Villo was on fire for the Royals, picking up two hits and three RBI. Michaela Moore and Bella Kennedy were also big parts of the Royals win, as they both picked up two RBIs. The final score was 10–2 for the Royals in five innings.
The series moved the Royals to 4-0 on the year, putting them second in the North division behind Edmonds Community College, who has two games on the Royals at 6–0.
