By Pierre LaBossiere
Peninsula Daily News
PORT ANGELES — After a weeklong break, Port Angeles’ bats were quiet, but the Roughriders managed to manufacture a pair of runs late, while their pitching was solid in a hard-earned 2-1 Olympic League 2A Division win over Bremerton to take over sole possession of first place in the league.
“Can’t say enough about how the guys battled and stuck together until the end, it was a great team win bouncing back after the last time out,” said coach Karl Myers.
“Coming off of spring break it was a very rusty game at the plate for us, we never seemed to get anything going but give our guys credit they kept grinding and managed to scratch a couple runs across late,” he said.
Myers said the Riders pitching was “phenomenal” by Ethan Flodstrom and Brody Merritt, who combined for a three-hitter.
Flodstrom gave up three hits and a run and struck out 10 in five innings. Merritt pitched the final two innings, giving up no hits, two walks and striking out two. Merritt picked up the win.
“These two continue to compete in the zone throwing strikes and keep hitters off balance with multiple pitches, it’s been an exciting spring for both of them thus far,” Myers said.
Myers gave credit to Carson Jackson and Joel Wood laying down perfect bunts to move runners over late in the game, while Tyrus Beckett and Colton McGuffey each had clutch doubles.
With the win, the Riders moved a half-game in front of North Kitsap, Olympic and Kingston. The Riders (3-1, 4-2) played at North Kitsap in Poulsbo Tuesday and will play Chimacum at home at 4:15 p.m. Friday at Volunteer Field.
Port Angeles 2, Bremerton 1
Bremerton 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 — 1
Port Angeles 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 — 2
WP: Brody Merritt LP: Andy McMartin
Pitching
PA — Ethan Flodstrom, 5IP, 3H, 1ER, 3BB, 10Ks; Brody Merritt, 2IP, 0H, 0ER, 2BB, 2Ks
Hitting
PA — Colton McGuffey, 1-3, 2B, R; Tyrus Beckett, 2-4, 2B; Carson Jackson, 1-2, SB, RBI
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Sports Editor Pierre LaBossiere can be contacted at 360-417-3525 or plabossiere@peninsuladailynews.com.
By Dave Logan/for Peninsula Daily News Port Angeles pitcher Ethan Flodstrom, backed up by first baseman Colton McGuffey, throws a pitch against the Bremerton Knights.
