POULSBO — Port Angeles seized sole control of first place in the Olympic League 2A Division baseball title chase with a come-from-behind 5-4 win on the road against North Kitsap on Tuesday.
The Riders scored a run in the sixth inning and two in the seventh to pull out the win. They now sit all alone in first place in the Olympic 2A.
“Such a phenomenal team win, really proud of the way our guys stuck together through some adversity and dig out a huge road win,” said coach Karl Myers.
“Lots of heroes today. I was really proud of our defense. Milo Whitman and Gavin Guerrero were solid all day and Carson Jackson tracked down some tough fly balls to help out pitchers out,” Myers said.
Down 3-2, the Riders manufactured a run in the sixth inning, with Brody Merritt getting on via an error. Daniel Basden came in to pinch run and made it to third base on a groundout, then came in on another error to tie the game 3-3.
The big blow came in the top of the seventh. Joel Wood got hit by a pitch and Ethan Flodstrom singled. On the play, Wood came in to score on an error to make it 4-3, then Colton McGuffey had a clutch single, driving in Flodstrom from third base. McGuffey ended the day with two hits and two runs batted in.
The Vikings rallied in the bottom of the seventh, making the Riders nervous. Roughrider pitcher Brody Merritt gave up a walk to Kyle Green, then Green came around to third base on two passed balls. A sacrifice fly by Tucker Gowin scored Green.
Merritt then hit the Vikings’ Jordin Robbins and Chris Schuchart hit a single. With both the tying and the winning runs on base with two outs, Merritt got Peter Klos to fly out to end the threat and the game.
Flodstrom had two hits in the game as did Bo Bradow. Pitchers McGuffey and Merritt combined to allow only two earned runs on six hits and seven walks, with Merritt picking up the victory.
After that emotional win, the Riders had to play again last night against rival Sequim after press deadline. Port Angeles (8-1, 12-3) next plays at 4:15 p.m. Friday at home against North Mason (4-5, 6-11).
Port Angeles 5, North Kitsap 4
PA 0 0 2 0 0 1 2 — 5 9 2
NK 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 — 4 6 4
WP: Merritt LP: Schmidt
Pitching
Port Angeles — McGuffey, 4.1IP, 5H, 2ER, 4BB; Merritt 2.2IP, 1H, 0ER, 3BB, 2K.
North Kitsap — Hecker 4IP, 4H, 1ER, 2BB, 5K; Schmidt 3IP, 5H, 1ER.
Hitting
Port Angeles — Flodstrom 2-3, 2R, SB; McGuffey 2-4, R, RBI; Bradow 2-4; Whitman 1-4, Merritt 1-4; Wood 1-2, R, Sac.
North Kitsap — Green 1-3, R; Gowin 0-2, 2RBI, SF, BB; Klos 1-4, R; Fisher 1-1, R, 2BB; Hecker 1-3, BB.
Boys Golf Sequim 321, Port Angeles 366
SEQUIM — The Wolves sealed their third consecutive Olympic League championship with a rivalry victory over the Roughriders on a beautiful day at Cedars at Dungeness.
Sequim’s Andrew Vanderberg topped the leaderboard with a round of 2-over-par 74. Blake Wiker was second for the Wolves, one stroke back of first with a 75.
Josiah Carter and Liam Payne also counted for Sequim with rounds of 86 apiece.
Wolves coach Bill Shea said Sequim (9-0) has now gone undefeated for three straight seasons, racking up 28 Olympic League match victories in that span.
The Wolves will go for their third straight victory in the 52nd Tim Higgins Memorial Golf Tournament today at Kitsap Golf & Country Club.
Mathew Locke finished third overall for Port Angeles with a strong round of 83.
Nate Drake added an 89, Skyler Cobb a 96 and Cameron Fouts a 98 for the Riders (5-4).
”The guys had a perfect day for golf on a terrific course and shot 10 strokes (182) better than their previous best nine hole team score but lost to undefeated Sequim 366-321 for 18 holes,” Port Angeles coach Gil Stockton said.
“It was a great warm up for the league championships next week. I am proud of the guys for how they have finished their regular season by playing their best. They have improved as a team every week this year.”
Sequim will host the Olympic League Championships at Cedars at Dungeness to determine state and district tournament berths on Tuesday.
Girls Golf Sequim 187, Port Angeles 235
SEQUIM — Three Wolves players shot rounds of 47 or better on the par-36 front nine at Cedars at Dungeness as Sequim captured the Olympic League championship with a win over the rival Roughriders.
“I am very happy for the girls and especially for the seniors after finishing second in the league last year,” Wolves coach Garrett Smithson said. “The whole team worked hard to get the league title and that was a big goal for all of them to start the year.”
Smithson said the course was in fantastic shape and the temperature hovered around 65 degrees for the whole match.
Sequim’s Sarah Shea shot a 2-over-par 38 to earn medalist honors.
Maddie Uranga was second for the Wolves with a 45 and Samantha Smith added a 47. Yana Hoesel’s 57 also counted in Sequim’s team score.
Gillian Elofson led Port Angeles with a round of 51. Kathryn McMahan added a 58, and Aliyah Johnston and Erin Fraser each carded 63.
The Sequim girls finished their regular season with a 9-0 record. Port Angeles was 4-5.
The Wolves and Riders will play for state and district tournament berths at the Olympic League Championships at Cedars at Dungeness on Tuesday.
