BY OLY ARCHIBALD
ORTING — With the way the Port Angeles Roughrider baseball team beat Orting 14-3 Friday afternoon in Orting, Roughriders Athletic Director Dwayne Johnson might want to have the Roughriders play all their games in the shadow of Mount Rainier!
The Roughriders exploded for 14 runs on 12 hits in just the second and third innings, overwhelming an Orting team that had been ranked in the top 10 for most of the season. Roughrider pitcher Hunter Statford threw a three-inning gem, allowing just three hits and one run to pick up the victory.
It seemed like every Roughrider had a hand in the win. Kody Williams smashed a three-run triple in the fourth inning. Catcher Luke Floodstrom collected two singles, drew two walks, and scored twice. Left fielder Nathan Basden chipped in with two singles, a walk, and also scored two runs. Shortstop Alex Angevine stayed busy with two singles, two walks, two stolen bases, and scored two more. Right fielder Trae Hanan added two singles, a walk, and crossed the plate twice. Third baseman Josiah Gooding singled, walked, and scored a run as well.
Orting came into the matchup with an 11-3 record and had just knocked off Sequim 13-7 a week ago, but they had no answers for the Roughriders’ offensive surge.
Roughrider pitcher Hunter Stratford was outstanding in Port Angeles’ 14-3 win over Orting, as he discussed during the KONP postgame show.
The win moves Port Angeles into a three-way tie for fourth place with a 4-6 record. The Roughriders will be big favorites heading into a home-and-home series against Bremerton, hosting the Knights on Tuesday before traveling to Bremerton on Wednesday. Wednesday’s game will be broadcast live right here on KONP Newsradio.
Meanwhile, the Sequim Wolves, still reeling from a close 5-4 nonleague loss to Cedar Park Christian, will turn their attention to a two-game league series against North Kitsap. The Wolves host the Vikings tomorrow at 4:15 p.m., then travel to North Kitsap on Wednesday. Sequim will also be on the road Thursday, heading to Forks for a nonleague matchup that will air live on KONP with first pitch set for 3:00 p.m.
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In fastpitch softball action today, Port Angeles travels to Olympic to face the Trojans and their All-State pitcher Brenda Morrison. First pitch is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Sequim, meanwhile, will be favored when they travel to Bainbridge Island, looking for their second league win. You can hear that game live here on KONP Newsradio, with the first pitch at 4:00 p.m.
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Tennis action today has Sequim traveling to North Kitsap, with first serve at 4:00 p.m. Meanwhile, the Olympic League golf tournament teed off this morning at 8:00 a.m. in Poulsbo, with all four Port Angeles and Sequim teams expected to make strong showings.
Roughrider golfers Max Gagnon, Sky Gelder, Tate Alton, and the rest of the Port Angeles team will be looking to shoot their way into the state golf tournament this morning in Poulsbo.
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In college sports, Peninsula Pirates men’s basketball coach Bryce Jacobson made a major addition by signing 6’0″ guard Trey Demmert out of Sitka, Alaska. Demmert, a Class 3A First Team All-State selection, led the Sitka Wolves to a 23-4 record and their first appearance in the state championship game since 1954. In the state semifinal win over Mount Edgecumbe, Demmert scored 16 points, grabbed six rebounds, and handed out six assists to help secure a 64-62 victory.
The Peninsula College men’s basketball team has signed 6’0″ All-State shooting guard Trey Demmert from Sitka, Alaska.
The Pirates women’s soccer team also added a standout recruit, traveling to Fruitland, Idaho, to sign midfielder Baylee Rawlinson. Rawlinson, a Class 4A First Team All-State selection, led the Grizzlies to a 19-2-1 record, a conference championship, and a third-place finish at the 4A state tournament. She finished the season with 34 goals and 12 assists and also helped lead the school’s basketball team. Rawlinson competed for the Idaho Inferno club soccer team and is expected to make an immediate impact for the Pirates next fall.
The Peninsula College women’s soccer team has signed First Team All-State midfielder Baylee Rawlinson from Fruitland, Idaho.