Olympic, Central Kitsap summer squads square off Monday

Central Kitsap and Olympic’s summer baseball programs will square off in a Junior American Legion baseball battle at Kitsap Fairgrounds Ballfields Monday. Currently, CK is first and Oly second in the North Division standings.

CK (12-0) is the last league unbeaten while Oly has just one league loss. The game will take place at 6 p.m.

The Oly Tigers (19-7, 12-1) got solid pitching from Riley Crow (6-0), as he threw six solid innings against visiting Graham-Kapowsin in the first game of a double-header on Monday. Crow struck out seven and scattered six hits. AJ Wilson closed the door in the seventh, retiring all three batters he faced.

The offensive attack was led by Blake Johnson, Zach Bird and Elliot Thorsen. Thorsen’s 2-RBI single in the sixth put the game away after Bryan Deszell’s inside-the-park home run.

In the second game, Thorsen gave up only three hits in five innings while striking out seven. Blake Johnson and Zach Bird continued their hot hitting, leading the offensive attack in the second game. Johnson was perfect at the plate on the night, going 5-5 for the Tigers, also swiping two bases and finished with 3 RBI, a double and a triple.

“We took advantage of every GK mistake on the base paths,” coach Nate Andrews said. “We got great pitching from Riley, AJ and Elliot and our offense put pressure on their defense. We still have to beat the teams at the top but the progress we are making and the learning that is taking place, really prepares us for that challenge.”

Thursday, Emil Swartling’s 3-run home run in the top of the seventh with the game tied put the game out of reach for the Tigers in a non-league contest between two teams that may meet again in the district tournament later in the month.

Olympic’s offense couldn’t get going after the fourth inning when River Ridge tied the game.

“We had the meat of our lineup on the bench today to get guys some at-bats and playing time,” Andrews said. “When your offense isn’t as potent you can’t make the mistakes that we made. The kids gave them a good game though. You have to give credit to the kid that came up with the big home run in the seventh. We get another chance next Thursday to play them in a non-league game. It’s more important to get guys playing time in those games than to play for the win, but we’ll be looking for some redemption.”

Oly and CK battled on May 29th in a non-league contest that the Central Kitsap won 8-5.

CK vs. Oly

Central Kitsap and Olympic will square off in a Junior American Legion baseball battle at 6 p.m. Monday at Kitsap Fairgrounds Ballfields.

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