PORT ANGELES — Port Angeles’ depth proved too much for Chimacum to handle in a five inning 15-3 victory in a softball matchup of the Olympic League’s Class 2A and 1A division powers.
“Everyone contributed, whether it was hits, base running, or pitching,” Roughriders coach Randy Steinman said of Wednesday’s game.
“It was a great team effort and a great team win.”
Port Angeles ace Nizhoni Wheeler celebrated her birthday by earning the win on the mound, striking out six and allowing no runs on three hits and two walks in three innings pitched.
The Cowboys stranded five runners on base in the first three innings, but Wheeler and the Riders shut down the Chimacum threat each time.
“We have to get better at finishing,” Cowboys coach Junior Roberts said.
“We have to take advantage when we get runners on, especially against a pitcher like her [Wheeler].
“We have to play better in the outfield and work on our defense.”
After a quick 1-2-3 first inning for Port Angeles at the plate, Wheeler started the team’s offensive onslaught in both the second and third innings by reaching base with a walk and a single, respectively.
“The way this team is, one inning they may not get some hits but they always come around,” Steinman said.
“We adjusted quite well.
“Nizhoni got on to start both rallies, and next thing you know, we have bases loaded and none out two innings in a row.”
Kylee Reid put the Riders in the lead in the bottom of the second, bringing home Wheeler and Brennan Gray with a single that snuck under the glove of Chimacum second basemen Bradyn Nelson.
A fielder’s choice by Nikki Price and an infield single by Sierra Robinson pushed Port Angeles to a 4-0 lead.
The Riders added four more in the next inning.
Reid doubled to the leftfield wall, bringing home Wheeler and Brennan Gray.
“The last couple of games Kylee’s hit the ball really well and that’s nice to see,” Steinman said.
Price followed Reid’s lead, hitting a two-RBI single for an 8-0 Port Angeles lead after three innings.
The two big innings chased Chimacum starter Ryley Eldridge.
“She wasn’t feeling too great on the bus ride up,” Roberts said.
“I probably shouldn’t have let her pitch, but she’s our ace and she said she could go.”
A single by Nelson brought home Kyah McKinlay as Chimacum snapped the shutout in the top of the fourth against Port Angeles pitcher Hope Wegener.
Gray tripled and scored and later notched a two-RBI double as the Riders put the game well out of reach with a seven-run seventh inning against Cowboys’ reliever Nelson.
Ashley Howell and Larson each added RBI doubles, and Larson, Natalie Steinman and Lauren Lunt all hit RBI singles in the fourth.
A Grace Yaley fielder’s choice and a Maddie Dowling RBI single rounded out the scoring for Chimacum in the top of the fifth.
“We’re a better team than this,” Roberts said.
“I won’t make excuses, PA took it to us, but we are missing some players.”
Port Angeles (3-0) visits Klahowya today.
The Riders also will host a doubleheader against White River and 3A Bainbridge, at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.
Chimacum (3-2) hosts Kingston on Thursday.
Port Angeles 15, Chimacum 3
Chimacum 0 0 0 1 2 — 3 7 1
Port Angeles 0 4 4 7 X — 15 14 0
WP- Wheeler LP- Eldridge
Pitching Statistics
Chimacum: Eldridge 3 IP, 8 R, 6 H, 5 BB, K; Nelson IP, 7 R, 8 H, BB.
Port Angeles: Wheeler 3 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 5 K; Wegener IP, R, 2 H, HB, K; Coburn IP, 2 R, 2 H, 2 BB.
Hitting Statistics
Chimacum: McKinlay 2-3, Eldridge 1-2, BB; Dowling 1-2, HBP, RBI; Nelson 1-2, RBI.
Port Angeles: Reid 2-2, 2B, 4 RBI; Gray 2-2, 2B, 3B, 2 BB, 2 RBI; Larson 3-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Wheeler 1-2, BB; Robinson 2-2, 2 RBI.
