When the Wolves needed the wins, they left it up to their ace.
Carly Swingle threw back-to-back complete game wins against Kingston April 28 and 29, helping Sequim lock up the third and final seed to the West Central District playoffs, set for May 17 in Tacoma.
On April 28, Swingle and the Wolves’ offense paved the way to a win with six runs in the first two innings and a five-run fourth inning on the way to a 12-6 road victory.
Swingle scattered nine hits in seven innings, striking out nine Bucs batters and walking three.
Swingle was tough at the plate as well, going 3-for-4 with four RBIs. Kylee Mildenberger and Maddy Zbaraschuk each drove in two runs while Yolanda Chinn had an RBI and Paige Seamands added two hits.
The next day, Swingle was even better on the mound as the Wolves sank the Buccaneers 11-2 in Sequim.
Swingle persisted through cold, bitter winds to throw a two-hitter and the Wolves scored in each inning except the third.
Zbaraschuk went 3-for-4 while Chinn added a home run and Lea Hopson smacked two hits.
On April 30 the Wolves tacked on another win, clobbering Bremerton 13-2.
Using a number of reserves and younger players, the Wolves still pounded out 16 base hits to Bremerton’s two, jumping on the Knights’ starting pitcher for nine first-inning runs.
“They were a lot better than we played them last time,” Sequim coach Mel Hendrickson said. “We were just hitting the ball.”
Sequim’s Danika Duncan was a perfect 4-for-4 with an RBI while teammate Lea Hopson hit a home run and was 2-for-4. Zbaraschuk was 3-for-4 with three RBIs and Kenzi Rhodefer was 2-for-4 with a triple and an RBI. Mildenberger (two RBIs) and Libby Grubb each had two hits.
Kathryn Roeber (1-0) got a win in her first start, tossing all five innings. She gave up just the two hits and no walks, striking out four batters. She also drove in two runs at the plate.
The Wolves sought a fourth win last week against division cellar-dweller Port Townsend on May 1, but umpires never showed and the game was postponed.
Sequim has a busy schedule this week, scheduled to take on North Mason on May 6 and Bremerton on May 8 — both at home — and at Chimacum on May 9, plus a possible make-up date at Port Townsend.
The May 8 rematch with Bremerton may take place at the Sequim Little League fields, since the Irrigation Festival carnival will take up most of the varsity and junior varsity fields.
Olympic League standings (as of May 5)
• 2A division
Team Lg. Over.
North Mason 12-2 14-3
Klahowya 10-4 11-6
Sequim 7-6 8-6
Kingston 5-10 9-10
Port Townsend 2-11 3-12
• 3A division
Team Lg. Over.
Port Angeles 11-3 12-3
Olympic 10-5 10-6
Peninsula 5-8 6-9
Bremerton 0-13 0-14
