Oly pounds SK for final spot

BREMERTON — Olympic softball coach Rachel Davenport decided to demonstrate why she thinks her team will be ready for its Narrows League playoff game Thursday.

Just moments after finishing off South Kitsap 16-1 in six innings Monday at Pendergast Park, Davenport decided to do a quick check.

“Athena! What’s our most important game?” Davenport yelled.

“Our next game,” Oly catcher Athena Rosario, along with about four teammates replied. “Thursday.”

Most high school girls would still be cheering excitedly over their playoff-binding win. But these Trojans are focused.

“They did everything I asked them to do,” Davenport said. “Every bunt I asked them to lay down, every slap, every hit and run.”

Oly had a little extra motivation.

“I told them if we won I’d take them all out for pizza,” Davenport said. “They said, ‘Coach, that’s a bet you’re gonna lose.’ I said, ‘No problem. That’s a bet I’m willing to lose.”

Rachel Haas pitched a strong game and the Trojans got timely hitting from Sarah Varady (3-3), Katie Longmire (3-3) and Carly Peterson (3-4).

Trojan Kelsey Anchors, part of a core of young talent that has revived Oly softball, said it’s exciting to be a part of Oly’s first Narrows League playoff team.

“It feels great,” Anchors said. “We’ve just got to stay dedicated, keep our heads focused. But it’s the first time. That will keep us driven for a while.”

That focus is exactly what Davenport said helps give Oly a boost.

“As soon as our game is over, it’s over,” Davenport said. “We end the game and we move on.

“But tonight, at least we’ll move on with full stomachs.”

The Trojans play 3:30 p.m. Thursday at SERA Complex in Tacoma against the winner of Capital/Olympia.

Central Kitsap

The Cougars, one game away from their first undefeated league season, lost a heartbreaker to North Kitsap in Poulsbo on Monday, falling 1-0 on a passed ball.

But after knocking off Port Angeles on Friday, the Cougars are still the Bridge Division champs.

As such, the Cougs battle for the Narrows League title on Friday at 3:30 p.m. at SERA in Tacoma. They’ll most likely battle Wilson, which won 4-2 in an early-season non-league game.

Klahowya

The Eagles edged Orting 6-5 in extra innings Friday to lock up the No. 1 seed to the 2A West Central District playoffs.

The Eagles needed a late run from Kazandra Holliday to lock up the seed. Holliday, also the winning pitcher in the game, went 3-5 with a home run. Brittney Devitt went 3-3 with an RBI triple and catcher Jocylynn Meadows went 4-4 with an RBI.

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