POULSBO — The Port Angeles softball team showed the defending 2A state champion North Kitsap Vikings that they are definitely for real.
The Roughriders got big games at the plate from Natalie Robinson and Abby Kimball and an impressive pitching performance from Heidi Leitz in a 7-4 victory over the Vikings, seizing commanding control over first place in the Olympic League.
North Kitsap came in to Tuesday’s game having won 29 games in a row, including the state championship game last May. After the victory, the Roughriders are now ranked No. 1 in the state among 2A teams in ratings percentage index. North Kitsap remains ranked No. 3. The Riders’ lone loss this year was to a 3A team.
“Heidi pitched a great game. She is strong mentally, able to hit her spots and continues to lead on the mound,” said coach Morgan Worthington. “Our defense had no errors, giving Heidi all the support she needed to focus on pitching.”
The Roughriders put four runs on the board in the first inning to give Leitz a cushion before her first pitch. Kimball hit a grand slam home run in the opening frame to give the Riders their big lead.
Kimball finished 3-for-4, while Natalie Robinson was 3-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Lynzee Reid was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored, and Kennedy Rognlien was 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI. Leitz had a hit and run scored.
Leitz went the distance from the circle, going seven innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs. She struck out eight.
Port Angeles (5-0, 9-1) has another tough challenge at 4:15 p.m. today against Kingston (3-1, 6-1) as the Olympic League has four of the top 16 teams in the state in RPI (Port Angeles No. 1, North Kitsap No. 3, Olympic No. 9 and Kingston No. 16). That game will be at Dry Creek Elementary in good weather or Billy Whiteshoes Park in wet weather.
Port Angeles 7, North Kitsap 4
PA 4 0 0 0 2 0 1 — 7 11 0
NK 0 0 1 0 2 1 0 — 4 6 0
Pitching
Port Angeles — Leitz 7 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 8 K.
Hitting
Port Angeles — Kimball 3-4, HR, 4 RBI, R; Robinson 3-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI, BB; Rognlien 2-4, 2B, RBI; Reid 2-4, 2B, 2 R.
Kingston 11, Sequim 3
SEQUIM — The Sequim softball team was victimized by a seven-run second inning by Kingston in an 11-3 loss.
The Wolves’ Taylee Rome was 3-for-4 at the plate and pitched six innings, allowing nine hits and six earned runs. She struck out 10.
Ava Ritter was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and Charlie Strum was 2-for-2 with two walks and three runs scored.
Sequim (0-3, 1-4) played at North Mason after press deadline Wednesday. The Wolves next play at Olympic (2-2, 6-2) at 4:15 p.m. today.
Kingston 11, Sequim 3
King. 0 7 1 0 0 0 3 — 11 10 0
Seq. 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 — 3 10 1
Pitching
Sequim — Rome 6 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 10 K; Whitehead IP, H.
Hitting
Sequim — Ritter 3-4, 2 RBI; Rome 3-4; Strum 2-2, 3 R, 2 BB; Doig 1-3, RBI.
