Coach Dave Ditlefsen looked to Sequim ace Tanner Rhodefer to help end a four-game skid on last week against the Wolves’ rival.

The SHS senior gave the Wolves exactly what they needed.

Rhodefer struck out 10 Roughriders to out-duel Jansen Pederson and Sequim’s Gavin Velarde hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh as Sequim edged Port Angeles 3-2 in Sequim.

“He (Rhodefer) really has command of all three pitches and can throw them at any time,” Ditlefsen said.

Port Angeles got on the board first with a pair of runs in the first inning, taking advantage of two walks, a hit and a passed ball.

“I had a little trouble with my fastball in the first inning (but my) pitches were working,” Rhodefer said. “This was a good win for us.”

After that, however, Rhodefer was dominant, only getting into one more spot of trouble. Port Angeles loaded the bases in the fourth and Rider Matt Hendry drove a pitch into shallow center field, by Sequim’s Dusty Bates snagged the ball for the final out.

Rhodefer helped his own cause in the bottom of the frame, singling and coming in to score on an RBI single by Ian Dennis. Sequim tied it up on a passed ball, setting the stage for the seventh inning.

Rhodefer struck out the side — including Port Angeles’ 1, 2 and 3 hitters — to blank the Roughriders in their half of the inning.

“I wanted to finish (the game) — I felt like it’s my responsibility,” Rhodefer said.

“He deserved it,” Ditlefsen said.

Daniel Harker led off Sequim’s seventh with a double. Nigel Christian earned an intentional walk, and after James Grubb struck out, P.A.’s Pederson hit Austin Hilliard with pitch.

Velarde then drove in pinch-runner Brady Vig with a sacrifice fly to left field, helping Sequim end a four-game skid.

The Wolves went through a similar losing streak in 2014, dropping four games in a row before winning their final three to position themselves for the district tournament with a No. 2 seed.

Rhodefer gave up six hits and three walks to go with his 10 strikeouts. Port Angeles’ Pederson gave up just three hits and three walks, striking out six Wolves in the loss.

Sequim was scheduled to close the regular season with a pair of home dates: May 4 versus Olympic and May 5 versus North Mason. Results of the games were not available at press time. The top four teams in the Olympic League qualify for the West Central District Tournament that begins May 9.

“(In this league) you just can’t take a game off,” Ditlefsen said.

Sequim blanks Bucs

Evan Hurn hit a three-run home run to cap a six-run inning, Rhodefer and Velarde scored two runs each and Sequim pitchers Grubb and Hilliard gave up just one hit as Sequim topped Kingston 8-0 in Kingston on May 1.

Grubb went six innings, walking five but giving up just one hit, a fourth inning single to Weston Moutray. Grubb struck out six, then handed the ball to Hilliard, who struck out two and walked one in his lone inning.

On deck

Sequim was slated to cap their regular season with home games against Olympic on May 4 and North Mason on May 5.

The Wolves, tied for third place with Port Angeles heading into this week’s play, need to finish in the top five of the league to advance to the West Central District tournament that starts May 9.

Olympic League standings

(as of May 3)

Team Lg.               Over.

North Kitsap 8-2 14-3

Olympic 8-2 10-5

Port Angeles 5-5 8-7

Sequim 5-5 9-7

Bremerton 4-6 6-8

North Mason 4-6 7-10

Kingston 1-9 3-10