By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
There were no losers on a picture-perfect summer evening at the local Sports Complex. Sure, the scoreboard favored Team Angels when the final out was recorded, but the true victory belonged to the Tulalip community.
Employees from Tulalip Resort Casino squared off against their friendly rivals from Angel of the Winds in the 3rd Annual Charity Softball Game. Set against the scenic backdrop of Tulalip Bay, the free community event drew a lively crowd of friends, families, and supporters who filled the bleachers beneath blue skies and temperatures in the low 80s.
The annual matchup has quickly become a summertime tradition, blending spirited competition with a shared commitment to giving back. This year’s beneficiary was the Hawks Nest booster club, an organization dedicated to providing supplemental financial support for Heritage High School student-athletes, athletic programs, and cheer squad.
“Everything about this softball game is really cool. I think my favorite part was actually all the team bonding and practices we did in the weeks leading up to today,” said Sunny Kennebrew, Tulalip Resort’s H.R. training manager. “At work we think of ourselves as team, so the transition from our day jobs at the Resort to softball practice after work was seamless.
“We know it’s a privilege for us to have the Tribe hosting us at this beautiful ball field,” he added. “We’re hoping to win, again, like we did last year, but at the end of the day, we’re all coming together to have some fun and hopefully raise a good amount of funds for the Hawks Nest.”
From the moment fans arrived, it was evident the evening would be memorable. Raffle tickets were sold throughout the game, giving attendees opportunities to participate in a variety of between-inning fundraising activities while contributing directly to the Hawks Nest’s mission. Every ticket purchased represented another investment in Tulalip youth and the future of Hawks athletics.
Before the first pitch was thrown, Tulalip Vice-Chair Deborah Parker, joined by her nieces Naleia and Nayani, made their way to the pitcher’s mound for the ceremonial first pitch. The family moment set the tone for an of togetherness, where multiple generations gathered to celebrate community while taking in a ball game.
“It’s so exciting because all you have to do is look around and you see people of all ages laughing, cheering, and just having a good time,” described Vice-Chair Deb. “I know the players view it as a somewhat competitive game, but it doesn’t feel divisive at all. Instead, it feels like togetherness and community spirit at its best. There are babies and toddlers running around and elders sitting comfortably while taking it all in. What more could we ask for? Well, maybe a win, but besides that, this evening is incredible.”
Adding to the festive atmosphere were two Tulalip-owned and operated food trucks that remained busy from first pitch to final out. Ryan’s REZ-ipes and Scapa? BBQ served up crowd favorites all evening, with long lines of hungry customers eager to sample the flavorful menus. Whether craving smoky barbecue, classic comfort food, or Salish summertime treats, fans found plenty to satisfy their appetites while supporting Native-owned businesses.
Once the game began, both teams wasted little time showing that this friendly rivalry still carried plenty of competitive fire.
The opening innings unfolded as a pitcher’s duel, with neither side willing to surrender momentum. Tulalip Resort Casino and Angel of the Winds matched each other inning after inning, remaining tied at 0-0 before exchanging runs to knot the score at 1-1 and later 2-2.
With each defensive stop and timely hit, the crowd became more invested, cheering for spectacular catches, hustle plays, and clutch at-bats.
The game’s turning point came in the fourth inning. Team Angels caught fire offensively, batting around their lineup and stringing together a series of timely hits that produced six runs. By the time the dust settled, Angel of the Winds had transformed a tightly contested game into an 8-2 advantage.
“It’s the bottom of the 7th inning right now and I’m going to try be best to contribute to a comeback,” shared Tulalip tribal member and TGO group tour specialist, Jared Parker from his team’s dugout. “Being able to have my daughters throw out the first pitch and then watch me play at this field is a proud dad moment, for sure. We couldn’t have asked for a better evening to have this game.”
Team TGO continued battling until the final out, plating one more run late in the contest, but couldn’t overcome the fourth-inning surge. Angel of the Winds claimed bragging rights this year with an 8-3 victory.
While one team walked away with the trophy, everyone involved helped strengthen the community. Through raffle proceeds, local food vendors, generous supporters, and an enthusiastic turnout, the evening successfully raised funds that will directly benefit Heritage High student-athletes throughout the coming school year.