Botkin-Petrova showdown must wait

The battle of Narrows League girls tennis unbeatens was put on hold.

Central Kitsap freshman Nika Botkin was hoping to test herself against Bremerton’s Iliana Petrova, but the Knights’ sophomore wasn’t playing on Monday, April 10.

“Let’s just say it was a coach’s decision,” Bremerton coach Ursula Huhtah said.

The Knights forfeited the No. 1 singles match, helping the visiting Cougars to a 5-0 victory.

Petrova, who placed fourth at the state Class 4A tournament a year ago, sat with her back to the courts, idly picking grass and facing High Street during the match.

Botkin, 5-0 this season, will have to wait until next month’s league tournament to get a shot at Petrova.

Central Kitsap coach Ken Allen, like a lot of onlookers, was interested in how his freshman would have done against the Bremerton player.

“Who knows what would have taken place?” he said. “Nika’s definitely one of the top players in the league.”

Allen described Botkin as a “thinking player. She’ll go out and see what needs to be done and make those changes. You has maturity you don’t see in a lot of freshman.”

The top match of the day was at No. 1 doubles, where the Cougar’s Amanda Rich and Karen Pielow rallied to beat Bremerton’s Leilani Howard and Tuesdee Gilchrist 5-7 6-2, 6-4.

CK’s doubles duo of Jamie Gilbert and Elaine Caldejon also remained unbeaten, topping Bremerton’s Maria Aragon and Brittani Erickson 6-1, 6-1.

BASEBALL — Sophomore Dustin Carlson pitched a six-hitter and collected three hits himself to lead Klahowaya to its first Nisqually League victory, beating Chimacum 6-3 on Monday, April 10. The Eagles (1-4 league) also got two hits from Joel Periot and Shawn Squires. ... Olympic catcher Adam Winger delivered the game-winning hit, a double in the top of the eighth, to lead the Trojans over Bremerton 7-6 on Monday. ... Central Kitsap lost 7-0 to South Kitsap on Monday. The Cougars had more errors (five) than hits (four.)

FASTPITCH — Lauren Haas was 4-for-4 as Olympic beat Bremerton 17-7 in a five-inning Narrows League game. ... Also on Monday, April 10, Kaitlin Henning pitched a 3-hitter to lead visiting Klahowya over Chimacum 3-1 in a Nisqually League game.

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