Olympic League standings
(as of March 27)
Team Lg. Over
Sequim 2-0 4-0
Bremerton 1-0 1-2
Port Angeles 1-0 1-1
North Kitsap 1-1 1-1
Olympic 0-1 1-3
Kingston 0-1 0-1
North Mason 0-2 0-4
The season is just a couple of weeks old, but Sequim’s Wolves already are showing they’re able to play with top tier of the Olympic League.
Sequim capped a three-win week with a 10-5 victory over defending league champ North Kitsap on March 24 in Poulsbo.
Sequim (2-0 in league play, 4-0 overall) broke open the game with a five-run third inning and another four in the fourth for the win.
Ian Miller and James Grubb were dual threats against the Vikings (1-1, 1-1). Miller tossed four-and-two-thirds innings for the victory and added a triple and two RBIs at the plate. Grubb was 2-for-2 with three RBIS and two runs scored, and finished the game on the mound, striking out three.
James Thayer drove in two and Cole Williams added an RBI.
The teams combined for nine errors.
Sequim bests Bulldogs
Taking advantage of a suspect defense, the Wolves had a six-run second inning and held off a late comeback to keep visiting North Mason winless in 10-5 Olympic League win on March 22.
Grubb had two hits, two RBIs, scored twice and had a steal to pace Sequim’s offense, which racked up seven hits and five walks.
Ryan Clark had two hits, Williams had a double and Jared Thomas scored twice in the victory.
Gavin Velarde threw five innings of one-run ball, working around seven Bulldog hits by striking out seven. He didn’t walk a batter.
“He does have the ability to throw strikes and good enough stuff (to get out of jams),” Sequim coach Dave Ditlefsen said of Velarde.
Grubb finished off the game, giving up one unearned run in the seventh.
Sequim was without four players who have not yet been cleared to play this season.
“We were fortunate to come out with a league win,” Ditlefsen said.
“For a lot of these kids, it’s their first varsity experience,” he said, praising the early efforts of Jared Thomas.
Jeremy Carnahan led North Mason with three hits.
Just two of the Bulldog pitchers’ 10 runs were earned, thanks to 11 North Mason errors.
“It was a pretty sloppy game on both sides,” Ditlefsen said.
Wolves edge Eagles
Sequim jumped out to an early lead and took advantage of some Eagles miscues on an 8-4 win at Klahowya on March 20.
Grubb and Thomas each went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI, Thayer reached base three times and the Wolves stole five bases in the non-league win over their 1A counterparts.
Williams, Justin Porter and Rudy Whitehead added hits for Sequim.
Miller gave up three runs, just one earned over two innings in the start. Porter tossed five strong innings in relief, spreading out five hits and two walks and striking out five Eagles.
Hayden Trull had two RBIs for Klahowya, who committed five errors.
Looking ahead
Sequim was scheduled to host Roosevelt, a 3A squad from Seattle, on March 28 — results were not available at press time.
The Wolves host rival Port Angeles on March 29. They play at Olympic on March 30 and host Kingston on March 31 before getting a rest on spring break.
Ditlefsen said he expects currently ineligible players to be back in the lineup following the break.
“We should be more like ourselves, primed to make a good run,” he said.
Sequim is back on the diamond on April 11, hosting non-league 3A foe Bainbridge.
