SAUGUS - Lauren Blaire would be 27 now, holding the keys to life in her hand. But the vibrant, talented Blaire was immortalized nine years ago as an 18-year-old Saugus High School softball player when she was hit broadside and killed by a drunk driver. Each year, the girls who have followed Blaire on the softball field honor the one-time catcher in a memorial game her parents attend.

Nick and Donna Blaire bring two horribly intertwined messages: their daughter's life is one to celebrate, and drunk driving kills. This year's game pits Saugus against Canyon High and will be played at 7 p.m.

Thursday at the William S. Hart PONY League Complex in Valencia, where many Santa Clarita high school players learned the game as youngsters. Members of the team feel they knew Blaire and say they're honored to play her game in her memory.

Many of them are 18; many, like Blaire, are looking forward to playing in college, looking ahead to life. "It's really nice that we have this game because I think it makes you more aware. It makes me think you can be the victim even if you didn't drink," said Saugus catcher Claire Donyanavard, 18.

The seniors on the team decided this year that each would write an essay to apply for the scholarship offered annually in Blaire's memory. Seniors are invited to write about the dangers of drunk driving, and the team thought it was important that all those eligible participate, Donyanavard said. A committee headed by the Blaire family will judge the essays and award two $1,000 scholarships to the winners.

There will be a 50/50 raffle at Thursday's game to help maintain the scholarship fund. Over the years, contributions have come from parents, players, coaches, family and friends. Blaire died early on the morning of Jan.

11, 1998, at Plum Canyon and Bouquet Canyon roads when Saugus resident James Bent, then 30, slammed his vehicle into her car. Bent's blood-alcohol level was more than twice the limit at which one is considered drunk. He had two previous drunk-driving convictions in other states and in this case eventually was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

At the time, principal of Saugus High urged students to turn their anger at Bent into positive memories of Blaire. The message isn't lost on the Lady Centurions. "It makes me proud our school takes the time to tell us her story," Donyanavard said.

"And it's nice her parents do this every year.