Sequim Gazette staff

It took a Storm to quiet Sequim’s bats and end the Wolves’ first appearance at the state tournament since 2009.

Squalicum’s ace David Stealy threw a complete-game, six-hitter with six strikeouts and no walks in blanking Sequim 5-0 at Bellingham’s Joe Martin Stadium on May 23.

Stealy out-dueled SHS hurler Tanner Rhodefer, who gave up just two earned runs but also gave up nine hits and four walks in his seven innings of work.

The Wolves (13-10) committed five errors behind Rhodefer.

Storm catcher Ben Tripp opened the scoring with an RBI double in the second inning. Squalicum made it 2-0 when Bunji McLeod singled in a run.

Sequim looked to get to Stealy in the bottom of the fifth when Evan Hurn singled, stole second and nearly scored on a James Grubb single, but Storm senior outfielder Carter Nickelson threw Hurn out in a close play at the plate.

Squalicum tacked on three insurance runs in the seventh on a walk, two hits and three Sequim miscues.

Grubb, Hurn, Dusty Bates, Daniel Harker, Ian Dennis and Gavin Velarde each had hits for Sequim in defeat.

The Wolves finish with 13 wins for the second consecutive season and the most since a 16-win 2011 campaign.

Squalicum went on to beat Anacortes later that day and earned a spot in the Washington state class 2A semifinals in Yakima on May 29.