By Michael Carman
Peninsula Daily News
SELAH — Port Angeles went 1-2 and was knocked out Friday at the Class 2A State Softball Tournament at Carlon Park.
The Roughriders were bashed by W.F. West’s powerful bats in a 19-2 state-opening loss, rebounded for a 6-0 shutout of North Kitsap before falling just short in a 12-10 loser-out contest against Lynden.
Port Angeles (18-9) has reached state for seven consecutive seasons and has lost to the eventual state champion every year for the past six. That streak could continue as W.F. West will play for the title against a fellow Southwest District 4 team, reigning champs Woodland.
“That’s a powerhouse district, no doubt about it,” Riders coach Randy Steinman said.
“W.F. West just crushes the ball. They have twice as much hitting as Woodland does, but Woodland has the better pitcher [Olivia Grey]. [W.F. West’s] catcher [Paetynn Lopez] was a physical speciman, really an intimidating player.”
Lopez was 3 for 4 with a double, home run, four RBI and three runs.
Port Angeles staved off elimination with a 6-0 shutout of Olympic League foe North Kitsap.
“We give up 19 runs and then come up and shut the next team down,” Steinman said. “The girls had something to prove against North Kitsap. You never want to lose to an Olympic League opponent. It’s a bummer we had to play an Olympic League opponent but when there are four Olympic League teams at a 16-team tournament, you’re bound to run into each other.”
Jada Cargo put the Riders ahead 1-0 with an RBI double in the first inning.
Port Angeles took advantage of some friendly winds against the Vikings, hitting two home runs in the top of the fifth.
Olivia Nevaril gave Port Angeles some cushion with a two-run home run-shot to left field with two outs in the inning.
The next batter — Aeverie Politika — went even deeper, hitting a solo bomb to left field that announcers estimated landed 40 beyond the fence.
“There’s another fence behind it to protect cars from getting hit by balls and she hit it all the way to that fence,” Steinman said. “She got all of that one.
“We played really well as a team and Kiana Watson-Charles pitched a great game.”
Teagen Clark led off the sixth with a triple and scored on Ella Holland slap-hit RBI single in the sixth.
Cargo scored the Riders’ last run in the seventh. Watson-Charles went the distance for Port Angeles in the pitcher’s circle.
Against Lynden, the Riders spotted the Lions a 6-0 lead after two innings but worked their way back into the contest.
Nevaril, Zoe Smithson and Peyton Rudd all hit home runs for Port Angeles.
“Olivia, Zoe and Peyton Rudd comes off the bench and hits a three-run bomb [in the seventh inning],” Steinman said.
Port Angeles had the winning run at the plate with runners at first and second and two out but couldn’t complete the rally.
“We got down in a hole but this team did not give up, we kept fighting,” Steinman said.
“Over the last few weeks we’ve had to come from behind against Gig Harbor, North Kitsap and we got contributions from up and down the lineup and off the bench.”
The Riders will graduate seniors O’Connor and Politika.
“They’ve both been great team leaders and contributors to our successes,” Steinman said. “They’ll be missed and tough to replace.”
Six of Port Angeles’ seven all-league performers will return.
“We should have a really solid mix of speed, power and pitching depth again next year,” Steinman said.
Port Angeles’ Kiana Watson-Charles pitches a three-hit shutout against North Kitsap at the state 2A softball tournament. (Mark Krulish/Kitsap News Group)
