This third time wasn’t the charm for Sequim’s Wolves, who found themselves one win short of the state 2A tournament thanks to an Olympic League rival.

Tucker Gowin tossed six-and-a-third innings of one-run baseball and the North Kitsap Vikings broke open a 1-1 tie with two runs in both fourth and fifth innings to upend Sequim 5-1 in the West Central District tournament consolation bracket semifinals at Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma on May 11.

Johnnie Young tossed all seven innings against the Vikings, who beat Sequim three times this season — including a 3-0 decision on March 14, the Wolves’ Olympic League opener, and a 2-1 win on April 15.

In those two match-ups, Sequim managed a combined four hits. On May 11, the Wolves tallied seven hits but aside from a first inning run couldn’t break through against Viking pitching.

Young and Brandon Barnett had two hits each, and Silas Thomas drive in the lone SHS run.

NK freshman Colton Bower starred for the Vikings, going 2-for-3 with a home run.

North Kitsap (18-7) went on to drop an 11-6 decision to White River in the district fifth/sixth place game. Olympic League champ Port Angeles edged Fife 3-2 in the district championship game to take the top seed to state while North Mason, the league’s other entry, takes the district’s fourth seed to state.

Shutout gives Sequim a chance

The Wolves opened districts on May 4 with a 10-3 win over Orting and 4-1 loss to Fife.

In the consolation bracket on May 8 in Silverdale, Sequim battered Lindbergh pitching for 10 runs in the third inning in a 12-0 rout to stay alive in district play.

Sequim starter Michael Young gave up just one hit and struck out six over four innings and Joey Oliver added a hitless inning of relief.

At the plate, Barnett was 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored, Thomas had two hits and Young had a hit, two walks and drive in two. A patient Wolves offense drew eight walks.