by MICHAEL DASHIELL
Sequim Gazette
Just like old times.
For years, the diamond battles between Sequim and North Mason determined Olympic League titles. And though North Mason’s Bulldogs haven’t joined Sequim near the top of the league standings this spring, they made Sequim work for a key win Friday afternoon.
Demiree Briones spread eight hits over seven innings and had Sequim’s lone RBI in a crucial 2-1 victory at home on April 27.
The win keeps Sequim (10-1 in league and overall) atop the Olympic League standings heading into the final five games of the regular season.
Sequim was slated to play at Port Angeles on April 30 and battle Kingston in a make-up date May 1 — results of the games were not available at press time.
The Wolves host Bremerton on May 2 and Kingston on May 4, then play at North Mason on Monday, May 7, to complete the regular season.
Sequim opens subdistrict play on Saturday, May 12, at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds.
Against North Mason, Briones struck out five Bulldogs and didn’t allow a walk. At the plate she was 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI. Hannah Grubb doubled and scored while Rylleigh Zbaraschuk was 1-for-2 with a walk, a run scored and two steals.
North Mason’s Kimber
Bolin nearly matched Briones on the mound, tossing six innings of seven-hit ball, giving up one earned run and striking out three.
Topping the Trojans
Olympic gave Sequim its first scare of the season and it took a momentous comeback to give the Wolves a 14-13 win in extra innings back in March.
This time? Not nearly as close.
Briones was 3-for-4 with three RBIs, Zbaraschuk scored three times and MaryLu Clift knocked in two runs and stole three bases as Sequim whitewashed Olympic 9-0 in Silverdale on April 27.
Makayla Bentz shut down the Trojans, striking out nine and giving up just four hits and a walk in a complete game shutout.
Sequim scored three runs in the third and broke it open with three more in the fifth to take an 8-0 lead.
Christina Bigelow took the loss for Olympic, surrendering eight hits and eight runs in six innings.
Wolves rip Redskins
And it could have been worse, conceivably.
Sequim made quick work of Port Townsend’s Redskins on April 23, blasting their hosts 25-3 in five innings.
Briones and Kinzie Winfield drove in five runs each and Sequim batters drew 20 walks in the Olympic League mismatch.
Melissa Lewis and Amariah Clift were 2-for-3 off the bench for the Wolves.
Bentz picked up the win by pitching two hitless innings and striking out four on the mound, while Lewis finished the game with three innings of work.
Sequim got to starter Gen Polizzi for a hit and 12 bases on balls, scoring 14 runs in the first inning.
The Wolves left 13 on base.
Megan Lee had two hits for Port Townsend.
Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.
