To say that Capital High senior softball player Lindsay Cline has been on a tear this season would be an understatement.

After nine games, the Bruins' clean-up hitter is batting at a torrid .606 clip, with an astronomical 1.212 slugging percentage. Cline is currently 20-for-33 at the plate, with three home runs, nine doubles, a triple, and 15 runs batted in.

The 5-foot-7 Cline, who sports a 3.4 GPA scholastically, has earned five varsity letters -- four in softball and one in basketball. She has played on one state softball championship team, in 2004, and with state runner-up clubs in softball (2005) and basketball (2007). This is her third year as CHS' starting first baseman.

Cline is on pace to become a three-time All-Stater, having been selected to the second team both of the last two seasons. As a sophomore, she hit .438 and last year she batted .324, with 22 RBI.

She first started out on the diamond at the age of 5, playing T-ball in Chicago where her dad was stationed in the Navy. She played three years of Little League baseball with the boys before taking-up girls' fastpitch softball at 9 years of age while her dad served in San Diego.

After the family came to Helena, Lindsay played in the city summer ASA leagues. Her 14-U team, HCCU, was coached by her parents, Bob and Ann.

For the past three years, Lindsay has been a member of the Silver Storm. In 2005, the Storm qualified for Nationals in Boise, and last summer they finished third in their bracket at a big tournament in Denver out of over 140 teams.

This year, in addition to swinging a hot bat, Lindsay has also found some success on the mound for the Bruins. She pitched a complete-game win over Missoula Hellgate, 5-4, allowing seven hits, striking out nine and walking only two.

Two of her top offensive performances so far occurred against Sentinel and Bozeman. Versus the Spartans, she went 3-for-3 with a homer, a double and four RBIs. And this past weekend against the Hawks Cline was 4-for-5, blasting a tater and three doubles while collecting five ribbies.

Q1. Who has had the most influence on your athletics?

A1. Cline: My older brother, Mike. We played a lot of baseball together; he taught me a lot about the game. He got a scholarship to play for the University of Mary, but had to quit after elbow surgery.

Q2. What is the highlight of your career to date?

A2. Cline: Driving in the tying and winning runs in the state championship game my freshman year against Flathead. We had two on, and I drove them both in with a single.

Q 3. Any plans for college?

A3.Cline: Yes, I received a softball scholarship and a Presidential scholarship for the University of Great Falls.

Q4. What's your favorite pitch to hit?

A4. Cline: A meatball, a straight pitch right down the pipe. You see it coming, and you can just sit back an unload on it.

Q5. And what's your toughest pitch to hit, or would you rather not divulge that?

A5. Cline: You're right, I don't think I'll answer that.

In a 5-4 win over hellgate, Lindsay went 2-for-3 at the plate, with a double and a triple, and pitched a complete game victory, allowing seven hits, striking out nine and walking only two.

Apr 8...2-4 (2B,R), 1-3 (2B, 3RBI)...Apr 13...0-3...2-3 (2B,3B)...Apr 15...3-3 (HR,2B,4RBI,2R)... 2-3 (2B,RBI,R)...April 18...1-4 (RBI)...Apr 22...2-4...bozeman, 13-4, 4-5 (3 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2R)

Totals...17-32, .531 BA, 1.031 SlgPct, 2 HR, 8 2B, 3B, 13 RBI(?)

.606, 1.212 SLUGGING...20 HITS, 9 DOUBLES, TRIPLE, 3 HOMERS, 13 EXTRA BASE HITS