Split gives Wolves No. 3 seed

An extra bloop single, one less error, a lucky bounce one way or another: The Sequim Wolves’ playoff standing could have been improved by any of these, but head coach Dave Ditlefsen isn’t lamenting the past.

Sequim locked up a playoff berth two weeks ago and, despite a heartbreaking, one-run loss to Kingston last week, the Wolves were scheduled to play Eatonville Tuesday night for the right to advance to the West Central District double elimination round.

“I did envision us as a playoff team all year,” Ditlefsen said. “I knew that the league was pretty strong. (These are) some tough teams to go through.”

Kingston proved him right as they edged the Wolves 8-7 on April 29.

A five-run fifth inning spelled doom for Sequim as the host Buccaneers broke a tie for the Olympic League 2A division’s No. 2 seed behind Klahowya. Kingston got all five of their fifth-inning runs off Ben Grubb (2-3), who came in for starter Max Royall in the third inning. Royall struggled with his control, giving up three hits and seven walks in two-and-one-third innings.

After Kingston scored three runs in the first inning, the Wolves got five runs of their own in the third, the big hit a grand slam from Spencer Middleton. He finished with five RBIs.

Sequim pushed the lead to 7-3 with two more runs in the top of the fifth before the Bucs’ explosion in the bottom of the frame.

“We did have a couple of plays that we could’ve made,” Ditlefsen said, “but they were tough plays on hard hit balls that certainly weren’t routine.”

Grubb was 1-for-3 at the plate with a double and two runs scored while Alex Gillis was 1-for-1 with a walk, hit-by-pitch, stolen base and run scored.

Chip Jones led Kingston with three hits, including a triple.

Two days later, with their playoff seeding secure, Sequim ripped Port Townsend 7-1.

Middleton threw six innings of one-hit ball and went 2-for-3 at the plate while Drew Rickerson scored twice and Jason Baker added a run-scoring double. Baker got aboard three times. Reed Omdal and Alex Gillis each had RBI singles.

In all, Sequim out-hit Port Townsend 9-3.

On the mound, Middleton was sharp, striking out 10 batters and walking just three.

Even with a win against Kingston, the Wolves would be locked into a loser-out game in the district playoffs. But with a number of extra-inning and one- or two-run losses, the rather young Wolves had a legitimate shot at the Olympic League 3A crown this spring.

“Certainly not a disappointing year,” Ditlefsen said. “I think if anything … we made great strides, tough losses aside. The kids competed all year. The mistakes we made were not for lack of effort.”

Sequim at districts

The Wolves (9-7, 9-9) were scheduled to play Eatonville, the Nisqually League No. 2 seed (9-3, 14-6), in Bremerton on May 6 in a loser-out, West Central District playoff game — see sequimgazette.com/sports for results. The winner advances to play at Klahowya, the Olympic League No. 1 seed, at 7 p.m. on May 9. Of the six teams playing in the district tournament, just two advance to the state 2A playoffs in Yakima May 23-24.

Olympic League standings (as of May 5)

• 2A division

Team Lg. Over.

Klahowya 11-5 11-8

Kingston 9-7 12-8

Sequim 9-7 9-9

North Mason 6-10 6-12

Port Townsend 0-16 1-19

• 3A division

Team Lg. Over.

Olympic 14-2 16-3

Port Angeles 14-2 16-3