By Davie Wong

The Royals softball team has been on a tear of the NWAC North region this season. This weekend, Highline Community College and Edmonds Community College looked to put a stop to that. Highline were first in line for the Royals.

                Game one saw a heated defensive affair from both sides. Keeley Ainge had herself a massive game, limiting Highline to two runs and one walk, while strike out five in seven innings. Kolby Hamilton, Jordan Britten-Yung, Jewel Gingras, and Cassa Courtney had runs for the Royals as they beat out the Thunderbirds 5-3.

                Game two was a much different story. Kira Staley was marvelous for the Royals, pitching five innings, striking out four, and only allowing three hits, one run, and one walk.  Runs from Kolby Hamilton, Rachel Warburton, Laura Baldry, Michaela Moore, Daniella Vilio, and a home run from Jordan Britten-Yung, helped the Royals take the game over Highline 9-1.

                Their next opponents would be Edmonds Community College. Edmonds have done well for themselves in the North division this year, and the Royals knew they would have a challenge ahead of them.

In game one, the Royals brought their A game. Keeley Ainge pitched an absolute gem of a game. She allowed three hits, one run, and zero walks in seven innings while also striking out seven batters. It was also a big game for the Royals batters. Cassa Courtney and Kim Anderson had one hit on the game. Kolby Hamilton, Daniella Vilio, and Natasha Bedard had two hits each, while Michaela Moore had three hits as well as three RBI on the game. The Royals would win game one decisively, 7-1.

Game two was the standard game two we've seen from the Royals all year. A classic blowout. Kira Staley pitched three innings before being relieved by Jesse Goddard who closed the game's last two innings. Offensively, it was a shooting range for the Royals batters. Kolby Hamilton (three hits and two RBI), Jordan Britten-Yung (three RBI and one home run), Natasha Beddard (three runs and walked twice), Cassa Courtney (three runs, two hits, two RBI, and one home run), and Bella Kennedy (three RBI) each had themselves a heck of a day on the stats sheet as the Royals blew out Edmonds. 13-3.

The weekend leaves the Royals at the top of the standings at 18-0 and the only team in the entirety of NWAC to still remain undefeated. They now top the North division as well, clear three games from their rivals, Edmonds. The team will play at Everett on Wednesday where they will look to continue their run!