Perhaps they had games of more importance on their minds.
Sequim pitchers surrendered 13 runs on 13 walks, five hit batters and, oddly, just five walks in a 13-5 loss at Port Angeles on May 4, the Wolves’ final league game and last chance to prep for the West Central District playoffs.
Sequim (7-9 in Olympic League, 9-10 overall) was scheduled to play the Washington Patriots, the Nisqually League’s No. 2 seed, in the opening round of the district tournament in Bremerton on May 12 – results of the loser-out, winner-advances contest were unavailable at press deadline. The winner moves on to a 7 p.m. May 15 district semifinal game against Klahowya. A win there would give Sequim a berth in the district finals and automatic state berth on May 16, while a loss puts the Wolves into a must-win consolation final, also on May 16.
All district games are at Bremerton’s Legion Field.
The Wolves might want a change of venue after their rough outing against Port Angeles last week that was actually closer than the score indicates. Sequim starter Alex Gillis tossed an uncharacteristic six walks and hit two batters in his one-plus innings of work, giving up six earned runs. Reliever Spencer Middleton fared better, striking out eight Port Angeles batters and helping keep the P.A. bats at bay.
After falling behind 6-1 after two innings, the Wolves battled back to a 7-5 deficit after six-and-a-half frames. But the Roughriders roughed up a tiring Middleton and reliever Jeremie Oliver for six runs in the sixth.
Middleton finished with seven walks and a pair of hit batters, surrendering seven earned runs in four-and-a-third innings pitched.
"I think it was an off day for our pitchers, not an indication of their ability to throw strikes," Sequim coach Dave Ditlefsen said. "It was one of those days."
Matt Bereiter was 2-for-3 with two RBIs while Gillis and Reed Omdal each had a hit, run and steal. Jason Baker and Isaac Yamamoto had two steals each as the Wolves stole eight bases in eight tries against Port Angeles ace (and eventual game-winner) Danny Romero.
"We battled back and did some things very well," Ditlefsen said. "(Romero) has really given us a tough time in the last two years. All seven hits were against him."
The outcome was a bit of revenge for the Roughriders, who fell 14-10 to Sequim on April 9.
The testing of his team against 3A schools and several quality 2A teams like Klahowya and Kingston should serve the Wolves well in the postseason, Ditlefsen said.
"Unfortunately we don’t have any hands-on scouting reports of what’s going on in the Nisqually League (but) … just by being in this Olympic League and playing some really good 2A teams, I think our schedule is grueling enough," Ditlefsen said. "Our goal is that our guys play their best no matter what opponent we’re up against."
Sequim went 1-2 at the district tourney last season, topping Eatonville by a run before falling to Klahowya and Kingston on back-to-back days.
The Wolves have qualified for the district tournament each spring since 2005, going 4-7. Sequim last qualified for the state tournament in 1997 when they were in the 3A classification.
Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.
Olympic League standings
Team Lg. Over.
North Kitsap 13-3 14-4
Olympic 11-3 12-5
Klahowya 11-5 12-6
Kingston 11-5 12-6
Port Angeles 8-8 8-9
Sequim 7-9 9-10
North Mason 5-10 6-14
Pt. Townsend 3-13 4-13
Bremerton 1-14 1-17
