One more win for Bridge crown

Shannon Sumner can’t think of a better way to end her senior season.

The Central Kitsap outfielder is on the verge of helping CK complete its first undefeated league season in school history, a feat not even the 1993 state title CK team could match. The Cougars are a yesterday win against Port Angeles away from the Narrows League Bridge Division crown (results were unavailable at press time).

All in all, not a bad senior year. But that’s also what made CK’s Senior Day 1-0 win over Gig Harbor on Wednesday more of a sad occasion.

“I’m very sad,” Sumner said. “Coach (Bruce Welling) came in (Wednesday) into my fourth period class and said there would be something after the game. I was like, ‘What? Why?’ He said, ‘Well, this is your last home game.’ I just got so sad. I’m still tearing up.”

But with the playoffs just around the corner, Sumner knows her senior season is far from over, saying last season’s exit at districts has certainly given CK more motivation to advance to state.

“We have more of a push,” Sumner said. “A lot of the girls after not coming out of districts well (last year), definitely want to push it harder.”

After CK pitcher Erika Quint mowed down nine while walking just two against the Tides, Welling said the team is excited, but keeping its head as the postseason approaches.

“We have kids with a pretty level-headed mentality,” Welling said. “They don’t get too high, they don’t get too low. But like today, they were excited.”

Welling told the team after the game that no other team they’ll face can beat them. Rather, they just have to keep playing ball their way.

“The only team that’s going to beat us is us,” Welling said. Our defense held together and we’ve been getting hits when we need to.”

In terms of waiting for district playoffs, Welling said he hopes the girls will adjust to the extra break, something CK hasn’t been accustomed to this season.

“The problem is going into districts, we have a whole week to practice,” Welling said. “They haven’t had that luxury all season long. They’re in a routine. We don’t know what to do.”

If Central beat Port Angeles on Friday, they would take on Stadium or Wilson for the Narrows League title next week. If the Cougars fall, they would have to beat North Kitsap on Monday at 3:30 p.m. in Poulsbo to clinch the Bridge. If NK lost to South Kitsap Friday, CK will have also clinched.

Olympic

The Olympic Trojans inched closer to the playoffs this week when Bremerton had to forfeit two games, giving the Trojans a half-game lead over South Kitsap for the fourth and final Bridge spot.

If Oly won Friday against Gig Harbor and South Kitsap lost, then the Trojans are in automatically. If both teams won or lost, they would play a head-to-head game, likely on Monday.

Klahowya

The Klahowya Eagles have locked up a West Central District berth and are still in the race for the No. 1 seed to the tournament. The Eagles (7-3) needed a win yesterday against Orting to clinch the top spot. Districts start on Saturday, May 20 for the Nisqually League.

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