By John Leggett

Staff Writer

Bonney Lake High’s storied fastpitch crew got its 2010 campaign got off to a dubious beginning March 13, losing 14-7 to Tahoma High.

Since that dismal start, however, the Panthers improved to 3-1.

March 15, in another nonleague game on North Thurston’s diamond, Bonney Lake took it out on the home team, scoring 10 runs in the top of the first and eventually whitewashing North Thurston 14-0.

Taylor Watkins nearly hit for the cycle, going 3-for-3 with a single, double and a triple. The onslaught also featured sophomore pitcher Courtney Franz whiffing six batters and allowing two hits in the five-inning game, which was limited by the 10-run rule.

Thursday’s game, a 5-3 victory over an Enumclaw team that was still around in the late going of last year’s 3A state tournament, was the Sammy Ebner show. Ebner smacked a three-run homer in the bottom of the third frame to provide a 4-1 Bonney Lake upperhand.

When the Hornets drew to within one after scoring a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to make the score 4-3, Ebner struck again, smashing a standup triple with one on board to register her fourth RBI and furnish the winning edge.

Friday, the Panthers traveled to Peninsula High and promptly made the lengthy journey worthwhile, lambasting the Seahawks 13-2.

In that lopsided trouncing, the Panthers sprinted to a 12-1 advantage by the bottom of the fourth inning. Bonney Lake had 13 hits and the Seahawks were guilty of seven errors.

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