South Kitsap boys pace action in baseball all-star game

Only six days removed from a heartbreaking loss to Woodinville in the 4A state semifinals, eight members of the South Kitsap High School baseball team officially ended their prep season on a winning note.

Representing the American League, the SK players joined players from North Mason, Olympic, and Sequim to defeat the National League 8-3 and 8-2 in the Snapple Senior All-Star doubleheader at Bremerton’s American Legion Field Thursday.

The National League included players from Bremerton, Central Kitsap, Gig Harbor, North Kitsap, and Port Angeles.

All-stars were plucked from high schools on the Olympic Peninsula, with 10 of them receiving a nomination to play in the state all-star game in Eastmont.

SK and Port Angeles had the most representation with eight and seven players respectively. SK showed why it placed fourth in the state tournament. Of the American League’s 13 hits, 10 belonged to SK players.

Senior Travis Vetters was 4-9 in the doubleheader, with three doubles and a single for three RBI. Vetters’ hardly hit single to right field could have been scored a triple, but the official scoring was a single and a two-base error.

SK senior Josh Showers — recently named the Narrows League Bridge Divsion MVP — was equally impressive at the plate, going 3-5 including two doubles and three RBI.

Josh Meeker had two singles with a run batted in, and Tyler Mayfield had a single to round up the SK hitting.

Olympic’s Joe Dixon (double, single) and North Mason’s Matt Hultberg (single) were the only other American League players with hits. Olympic’s Matt White was hitless but did drive in a run on a fielder’s choice.

Dixon managed to get on base in all five plate appearnaces and scored a pair of runs.

He also earned the win on the mound in the second game.

He gave up one run in four innings of work before giving way to Hultberg for the final four innings.

In the first game, SK’s Dan Knox — who was 9-2 on the year — showed mastery on the mound.

The crafty lefthander gave up a run on one hit in four innings to earn the win.

Sequim’s Ben Stensland cleaned up the latter four innings with two-hit ball.

Jake Higgs, one of four CK players, was the only Cougar with a hit.

North Kitsap’s Brian Liebold and Brett Shearer each had two hits to lead the National League.

Bremerton’s Joe Bollinger, Alex Mansfield, and Josh Walesby each had a single.

Dixon said it was fun pitching with an all-star defense behind him.

“I felt a lot more relaxed,” Dixon said. “I felt pretty good. I got a couple of double plays which was nice. This was a lot better than regular season because (Olympic) wasn’t as good defensively. I wasn’t worried at all about (the defense).”

While the atmosphere was laid back and geared more towards having fun, Dixon said everyone wanted to win.

“When I warmed up to pitch today I warmed up like it was a normal game,” Dixon said. “I did the same routine and got in there and wanted to give my best stuff and win.”

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