The Pirates entered the District Tournament with high hopes and a pretty good head of steam but suffered a 7-2 loss to Capital on Tuesday.  Mental mistakes were the main reason for the defeat.  Now, Highline must win the next two games or the 2011 season will come to a close.  Rain has caused havoc with the schedule but we are tentatively set to resume action Thursday night at 7:00 PM at heidelberg Field in Tacoma against the Kelso/Timberline loser.

The updated bracket is located on the following link...

www.wcd3.org/b_ba.htm

If you are looking for Kennedy on this bracket, they were eliminated in Sub-District play after a protest was upheld by the WIAA regarding the use of an illegal bat.  The game was replayed from the point of infraction and Peninsula beat the Lancers and moved into the District Tournament.

Faced with a second straight "Must Win" situation, Highline mounted a furious late inning rally, overcoming Bonney Lake 10-6 on Saturday. The Pirates fell behind 4-0 in the third and had not even had a base runner up until that point. Senior, Logan Brickell finally broke up the Panther "no-no" with a one out double in the top of the fourth and scored on Senior, Caleb Ramirez' double. Highline added another run in the fifth without any basehits thanks to Senior, Jeff Kemp's squeeze bunt.  At that point, the Bonney Lake starter couldn't find the plate and was removed.  Their reliever struggled too, but Highline had to settle for just the one tally.  The Panthers responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth to again lead by four runs.  Highline got rolling in the sixth scoring three runs on two walks, an error and Senior, Thomas Farrell's clutch, RBI single to narrow the lead to 6-5.  Reliever, Cole Porter shut Bonney Lake down in the bottom of the sixth setting the stage for a major HHS uprising in the seventh. 

Jonny Locher led off the inning with a full count, walk.  Logan sacrificed him to second.  Another walk to Jacob Wydick brought Senior, Nick Mead to the plate.  A wild pitched careened off the catchers shin pads and rolled to the backstop.  Jonny never hesitated and took off for home where a collision (see photo) with the Panther pitcher took place, which jarred the baseball away and Locher was "safe" with the tying run.  Nick eventually drew another free pass. Caleb Ramirez was hit by a pitch to load the bases  Ryne Phelan, running for Jacob, was forced out at home for the second out setting the stage for sophomore, Erik Anderson.  The Pirates shortstop came "clutch" on a full count, bases clearing triple to the gap in right center giving Highline their first lead of the day.  Erik would then score on a single by Desmond Drew to open a 10-6 lead for Highline going into the bottom of the eventh.  Caleb came on in relief and induced three straight groundouts, including Cole Porter's incredible, diving stab which he threw to firstbase from the seat of his pants.

It was fairly obvious that this years seniors did not want their High School careers to end on this day.  They pretty much willed this team to victory and should be extremely proud of their efforts.

With the win, Highline moves on into the WCD Tournament and a 4:00 game on Tuesday at Heidelberg Field in Tacoma. against the Narrows League #3 seed Capital Cougars.  The complete bracket can be viewed by clicking on the following link.

http://www.wcd3.org/BA_3A_Bracket_11.pdf

More info, including driving directions to Heidelberg, can be vound on the WCD web page

www.wcd3.org/b_ba.htm

Eric Todd was again on hand yesterday and posted some amazing photos of the game which can be viewed at - http://www.etdpi.com/Sports/Highline-Pirate-Baseball/20110507

After an uninspiring finish to the regular season, Highline faces a somewhat, daunting task in an attempt to make it to the West Central District Tournament.  The Pirates dropped a non-league game to Mt. Rainier on Wednesday by a score of 6-5.  One bad inning and too many strikeouts (12) led to the Pirate defeat.  The team now must win two Sub-District games to be allowed in to the WCD bracket.  First up is Decatur, the number 5 SPSL team.  That game is at Moshier on Friday at 3:30.  If the Pirates win that one they play on Saturday at 4:00 PM at Auburn Mountainview against SPSL #3 seed Bonney Lake.  A loss in either of those contests will end the 2011 season for Highline.

Although Friday's game is at home, admission will be charged for those attending.

TICKET PRICES

ADULTS & STUDENTS W/O ASB CARDS:   $7.00

JR & SR HIGH STUDENTS W/ASB CARDS:  $4.00

SENIOR CITIZENS (62+) & ELEMENTARY STUDENTS: $4.00

PRE-SCHOOL AGE (under 6):  FREE

Highline wrapped up league play with a 12-2 victory over Evergreen on Saturday morning.  This, falling on the heels of a 10-6 loss to Lindbergh on Friday.The defeat erased any chance for a league title and Highline must now wait to see what shakes out while the rest of the Seamount teams finish league play.

On Friday, the Pirates jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first only to see the Eagles respond with two of their own in the bottom of the frame. Lindbergh would take the lead with a run in each of the next two innings. Highline tied it in the top of the fourth when Logan Brickell homered to right centerfield.  Lindbergh again responded with a two run homer in their half and tacked on three more in the sixth to open up a 9-5 lead.  Highline loaded the bases in the top of the seventh but could not plate any runners and went down to defeat.

On Saturday morning the Pirates played a "Home" game at Evergreen.  It took a while to get the offense going but Highline scored four runs in the fourth to extend a small. early lead to an 8-0 cushion.   Evergreen took advantage of some sloppy Pirate defense in the top of the fifth but, Jonny Locher's three run homer extended the Pirate lead to 11-2.  Cole Porter picked up the victory on the hill throwing three shutout innings.  Jonny Rhodes also pitched three innings allowing no earned runs and Ryne Phelan finished it with a scoreless sixth.

Saturday afternoon saw Highline play in the Annual High School Baseball Classic at Safeco Field.  The Pirates played tough against West Seattle but fell by a score of 6-4.  Twenty different Highline players saw action in this years game which had the Pirates mount a furious seventh inning rally scoring twice but leaving the tying runs on base at the end.

Monday's game with Mt. Rainier has to be postponed due to the Rams need for a league make-up game on that day.  Efforts are now being made to play that game on Tuesday.  Highline begins post-season play on Friday at 4:00 PM with the location to be determined after Kennedy completes their league schedule on Wednesday.  It is possible for a second sub-district game to be played on Saturday, also at 4:00 PM.   Highline is forced into a "Loser Out" situation in the sub-district tournament based on their Seamount League record.  If we survive this phase, the WCD Tournament will be Double Elimination.