Lady Trojans return to Fairgrounds spoiled

It took a little longer than expected, but the Olympic Lady Trojans softball team returned “home” to the Fairgrounds ballfields Friday.

But the return wasn’t enough to generate the hits the Lady Trojans needed, falling to their Narrows League rivals 3-1.

“Once again, you take one inning out of there and it’s a one-one game,” Olympic coach Rachel Davenport said. “But that’s the game of softball.”

Olympic (1-9, 1-13) was able to get a run after Sarah Varady singled to start an early rally. Candice Cruz then moved Varady to second in a fielder’s choice. That brought up Lindsey Webel, who crushed a double over the middle that allowed Varady to score. But Webel’s double was the last ball hit by Oly to leave the infield for nearly the entire remainder of the game.

Shelton’s Julie Bolender dominated after the first inning, finishing the complete-game victory with seven strikeouts while plaguing the Lady Trojans into ground ball after ground ball.

“Hats off to their pitcher,” Davenport said. “She wanted it.”

Of Olympic’s 21 total outs in the game, 12 were ground outs back to the mound, to the shortstop or to first base.

Despite the offensive inaction, Olympic’s Brittany Featherstone pitched great in five innings of relief after starter Katelyn Shaw gave up two runs in the top of the second inning.

Featherstone gave up one in the third on an error, but struck out three while not allowing another run the remainder of the game.

“Brittany came in and threw five solid innings,” Davenport said. She held through it really well.”

The game was the first of the season for Olympic at the Fairgrounds, which had been off limits due to maintenance.

Davenport said she was happy the girls got to get a game in on the new field in their final home game of the season.

“It was nice,” she said. “I asked them about it before the game. They were excited and sad that they only got to play one game here.”

Olympic took on North Kitsap Monday and will travel to Port Angeles today in their final game of the season. Both of those teams are still vying for a playoff berth.

“It’s a spot no one wants to be in, the spoiler spot,” Davenport said. “No one wants to be there but the pressure is on them now. We’re looking to sneak up. And we’re in every game.”

Central Kitsap (9-3, 13-3) dominated the Bremerton Lady Knights Friday, taking a 10-2 win back to Silverdale with them.

Tiffany Henry pitched six shutout innings for CK before giving up a pair in the bottom of the seventh.

Erika Quint went 2-3 in the game and Lauren Johnson ripped a triple.

The Lady Cougars hosted SK on Monday and will host Gig Harbor today at 3:30 p.m. at Linder Field in their final regular season game. CK needs one more win to lock down the No. 2 Narrows League Bridge Division spot.

The Klahowya Lady Eagles dropped their Friday contest to Eatonville on the road 13-3 in five innings.

After scoring two to start the game, the Lady Eagles (4-6, 5-9) gave up runs in every inning but the fourth, including a six-run third-inning for Eatonville.

Klahowya still holds the sixth and final 2A West Central District 3 spot.

Baseball

For the Trojan boys, the season came to an end on Saturday with a 4-0 loss to Gig Harbor. Olympic (6-7, 7-10) needed to sweep the Tides (7-6, 10-9) and get help to get in.

Lefty starter Nick Bankus was lights-out in the game, striking out 11 batters while giving up just four hits, including a solo home run and a three-run single.

The Trojans managed just two hits in support, with Bankus slapping one of the singles.

The Trojans closed out the season Monday against the Tides in Gig Harbor.

The Klahowya Eagles continued their slide, falling 10-4 to Eatonville on the road on Friday.

Once again, a lack of timely offense plagued the Eagles, who got nine hits but couldn’t keep pace with Eatonville.

“We have picked a horrible time to struggle with offense, with the district playoffs right around the corner,” Eagles coach Vince Hlavaty said. “I hope the team can figure out the right formula for success and make it happen.”

Brothers Derek and Isaac Solaita each went 3-4 with an RBI in the game, while Isaac added three stolen bases.

The Eagles finished their home schedule Monday against Sequim. They traveled to North Mason yesterday.

As of the loss, Klahowya holds the sixth and final 2A West Central District 3 berth.

Soccer

The Narrows League’s top two teams showed why on Friday as South Kitsap shutdown Olympic 4-1 in Port Orchard while CK lost 3-1 to Gig Harbor at home.

The Wolves scored all four of their goals before the Trojans’ (4-7-1, 5-7-2) Matt Arehardt could put one on the board.

Against the Tides, CK took a 1-1 tie into the half thanks to a Marius Kjellevold goal (his eighth of the season).

But it wasn’t enough as the Tides’ defense shut down the Cougars (6-5-1, 6-6-1) the rest of the way to seal the win in Silverdale.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.