by MICHAEL DASHIELL
Sequim Gazette
For much of the season, Sequim’s gloves and arms kept them in games.
Last week, with a chance to secure one of the Olympic League’s top spots heading into the postseason, the Wolves (9-6 in league, 10-9 overall) dropped three games by a total of five runs.
In those losses, Sequim gave up 10 unearned runs, committing 13 errors in the process.
“We did play sloppy; those are teams, the first time through the league, (that) we played very well and won close games,”
Sequim coach Dave Ditlefsen said.
The losses dropped Sequim into a logjam in the middle of the league standings with Port Angeles, Bremerton, Olympic and Kingston, with North Kitsap finally emerging as the frontrunner.
“We can’t give little mistakes to these teams,” Ditlefsen said. “It’s a very competitive league.”
The Wolves opened last week on a winning note, knocking off Port Townsend 8-2 on April 23.
Kyler Johnston picked up the win, giving up just three hits and striking out four Redskins in five innings.
Karsten Wake went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, Jake Hudson knocked in two runs and Brett Wright had two hits and scored twice.
On April 26, Sequim’s gloves betrayed them in a 6-4 loss at Olympic as the Wolves racked up eight errors.
Wake took the loss for Sequim, giving up six runs (three unearned) in four-plus innings. Tyler Campbell had a triple and RBI while Wright was 1-for-3 with a steal. Olympic starter Rob Elliot gave up four runs fueled by seven walks, but reliever Taylor Huddleston worked a scoreless three-and-a-third innings for the win.
On April 27, Sequim dropped a 9-7 decision at North Mason, giving up five unearned runs thanks to a trio of errors.
Campbell had a double and an RBI while Jon Donahue was 1-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Kyler Johnston picked up the tough-luck loss.
Jordan Young pitched a complete-game win for the Bulldogs, allowing three earned runs on five hits. Sam Sandell and Riley McKean had two RBIs each for the home team.
A day later, Sequim fell 2-1 at Kingston in a make-up game.
Nick Johnston hurled a strong game, giving up just two unearned runs on six hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out six Buccaneers in the defeat.
“Our pitchers have kept us in the game all year,” Ditlefsen said.
Fred Serrano was 2-for-3 while Nick Ramirez tripled for the Wolves.
Sequim was slated to finish the regular season Monday, April 30, at Port Angeles — results of the game were not available at press time.
The Wolves begin subdistrict play May 4.
Ditlefsen said the Wolves are heading into the postseason at full strength in terms of health and pitching.
“A lot of us are frustrated at the plate,” he said, “but the reality is, this team is going to have to manufacture runs.”
