Untouchable

By Davie Wong

What a season it's been for the Royal softball team. After clinching their playoff spot nearly halfway into the season, the team continued to dominate the NWAC North division. Last week, they clinched their conference after handily defeating their North rivals, Edmonds, in two games. This week, they finished the regular season with the best record in the entirety of NWAC and the history of the program, becoming the first team in four years to finish the season undefeated.

With their conference and a playoff spot clinched, the Royals came into the weekend matchup against Skagit Valley with the NWAC Championships on the mind. Nonetheless, business had to be taken care of, and the Royals went to work. Two runs in the first inning, and one run in the third inning gave the Royals an early that held up until the seventh. Skagit gave the Royals a bit of a scare as they pushed two runners across the line, but Keeley Ainge managed to shut the gates and close out the game for her 17th Conference win of the year. Kolby Hamilton had two hits, and Natasha Bedard finished with two RBI to push the Royals over the line.

Game two was explosive for the Royals. Kira Staley pitched her way to a 14th win and Keeley Ainge closed the game out for the Royals through five innings. But it was the Royals batting lineup that swung them to their undefeated finish. Jewel Gingras had three runs and three hits, while Kolby Hamilton had four runs, two hits, and three stolen bases to push the Royals past Skagit in five innings.

The win finished off a historic season for the team, capping their regular season off at 32-0. They will undoubtedly be looking towards the NWAC Championships, which starts on Friday. After coming so close last year, the team will be looking to capture the crowning jewel to finish off their legendary year