PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles played 3A Gig Harbor tough in their final regular-season game of the year in a tune-up for the district softball tournament, but a four-run sixth inning by the Tides was the difference in a 6-4 loss.
“Port Angeles played well but made a few mistakes that cost us the win. It was a great non-league game to get ready for districts,” said coach Randy Steinman.
There’s no shame in losing to the Tides. In addition to being a bigger 3A school, Gig Harbor is also 15-6 overall on the season and came in second in the South Sound Conference at 12-2 in league.
Sierra Robinson did all she could to help the Riders win. She went 4 for 4 at the plate and scored two runs while stealing a base. Natalie Steinman was 1 for 3 with two RBIs, while Jaida Cargo was 1 for 1 with two walks and two runs scored.
On the mound, Callie Hall, coming off a one-hitter last week against Kingston, pitched four innings, giving up one run on two hits and two walks while striking out three. Hope O’Connor got tagged for four runs in two innings pitched, though she struck out three. Ella Holland gave up one run in the seventh inning on two hits.
The Riders (12-0, 17-3), who wrapped up the Olympic League 2A Division championship a couple of weeks ago, now prepare for postseason as the league’s No. 1 seed. Port Angeles, which won the district tournament title on its way to finishing second at the state tournament, hopes to duplicate last season’s long run in the postseason.
Port Angeles plays at noon Friday in the West Central District III Tournament at the Regional Athletic Complex (RAC) in Lacey against the winner of Steilacoom (11-3, 12-6, second in the Sound Division of the South Puget Sound League) and Washington (7-7, 7-9, fifth in Mountain Division of the South Puget Sound League).
If the Riders win, they qualify for state and will continue playing at district for seeding. If the Riders lose, they move into the loser-out consolation bracket.
Sequim also is playing in the district tournament. The Wolves (6-6, 8-12, fourth in the Olympic League 2A) begin by playing Orting (11-3, 12-7, third in the Sound Division of the South Puget Sound League) at 10 a.m. Being a lower seed, the Wolves must win at least two games (and possibly three if they go through the consolation bracket) at district to qualify for state.
Gig Harbor 6, Port Angeles 4
GH 1 0 0 0 0 4 1 — 6 6 2
PA 1 0 1 0 2 0 0 — 4 9 2
LP: O’Conner
Pitching
Port Angeles — Hall 4IP, R, 2H, 2BB, 3K; O’Connor 2IP, 4R, 2H, 0BB, 3K; Holland 1IP, 2H, 0BB, K.
Hitting
Port Angeles — Robinson 4-4, 2R, SB; Steinman 1-3, 2RBI; Edwards 1-4, Nevaril 1-4; Gray 1-3; Cargo 1-1, 2R, 2BB.
