Three outs away.

Up five runs, that’s all the Wolves needed in the seventh and final inning Friday afternoon to knock off Kingston, one of the Olympic League’s top teams.

But the Buccaneers strung together three hits, five walks and six runs to devastate a Sequim team whose bats are red hot.

Spencer Middleton worked six innings, giving up five earned runs and eight walks and figured to be the winning pitcher before Kingston got to the Wolves’ bullpen.

Kingston’s Daniel Orr, Rico Lemay and Curtis Wildung each had two hits, and Stephen Gorman’s bases-loaded walk in the sixth won the game.

Middleton and Matt Bereiter were outstanding at the plate against Kingston. Both had three hits and combined to drive in three runs. Drew Rickerson scored four times and Jason Baker was 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs.

The tough loss came on the heels of a strange, walk-filled 14-10 Sequim win against rival Port Angeles one day earlier.

Wolves’ starter Alex Gillis worked five strong innings, striking out seven Roughriders and giving up just two earned runs while going 1-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored at the plate.

"His desire to win is unparalleled," Sequim coach Dave Ditlefsen said. "He’s pound for pound our toughest player. That’s who I want to represent us with the game on the line."

Rickerson fueled the offense with three hits and three runs scored while Baker was 1-for-1 with a single, two walks, a sacrifice fly and three runs scored. Preston McFarlen had two hits and Middleton added a run-scoring single.

Jeremie Oliver was 2-for-3 at the plate and closed the game out in the seventh when Port Angeles made the game close.

Despite taking advantage of Wolves’ miscues for 10 runs, Roughrider pitchers gave up 12 bases on balls.

On April 7, Sequim pounded Forks 19-8 in a nonleague contest in Forks.

Down 6-2 in the sixth inning, the Wolves simply erupted for 14 runs. Oliver was 3-for 5 with three RBIs and three runs scored while Gillis had a double, a triple and knocked in three runs. Reed Omdal was 2-for-3 with three runs scored while Middleton, Rickerson and Bereiter each had two hits.

Anthony Washington, who was 2-for-2 at the plate, picked up the win in relief.

The Wolves were slated to host Kingston on April 13 – results were unavailable at press time.

Sequim takes on Port Townsend away on April 15 before hosting North Mason April 17 and Bremerton on April 20.

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.

Olympic League

standings

(as of April 13)

Team Lg. Over.

Kingston 5-1 5-2

Klahowya 5-2 5-2

Olympic 5-2 6-4

North Kitsap 4-2 5-3

Port Angeles 3-2 3-3

Sequim 3-4 5-5

Port Townsend 2-5 3-5

North Mason 1-4 2-7

Bremerton 0-6 0-7