BLHS FASTPITCH: Lady Panthers have No. 1 seed as they head into West Central District III tournament

Bonney Lake High’s fastpitch squad made quite an impression when it participated in the Class 3A subistrict tournament at Enumclaw’s Boise Creek Sixplex Saturday, winning all three of its challenges and emerging as the No. 1 seed heading into Friday’s West Central District III tournament.

District competition will be at the Sprinker Recreation Center, between Parkland and Spanaway.

Bonney Lake, which will enjoy a first round bye thanks to its No. 1 seed, will first play at 4 p.m. on Field No. 2 when it faces the winner of the Kennedy High vs. Camas High contest.

During the Panthers’ performance in Enumclaw they outscored their three opponents 24-3 in 19 innings, without committing a single error.

Bonney Lake’s ace on the mound, Rendi Johnson, started all three meetings, allowing a combined total of 10 hits, while striking out 11 batters and walking three.

In the batter’s box, the Panthers hit .500, going a combined 35-for-70. Jacqui Courneya went 5-for-9 with four doubles and Bailey Ahern went 5-for-8 from the plate with three singles and a tandem of two-baggers.

The opening round featured Bonney Lake blanking Hazen High of the Seamount League 10-0 in five innings. The Highlanders accrued a paltry one hit against Johnson.

The Panthers’ next victim was Auburn Mountainview, which Bonney Lake throttled 5-0 in an outing that saw Johnson relinquish a miserly pair of hits over seven stanzas.

By shutting out the Lady Lions, Bonney Lake exacted the full measure of revenge. Auburn Mountainview had caused the only blemish on an otherwise spotless 20-1 accounting, edging Bonney Lake 3-2 earlier in the campaign.

In the championship encounter with Peninsula, Bonney Lake got off to a seemingly slow start, trailing 1-0 after four stanzas of play. Eventually the Panthers pummeled Peninsula 9-3.