Area Sports by Michael Dashiell

There's something about that North Mason team.

For the 13th time in their last 15 meetings since 2004, the Bulldogs found a way to top their Sequim rivals.

For the sixth instance in that span, the difference was a single run.

North Mason's Amanda Johnson knocked in the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning to cap a come-from-behind, 2-1 win in Sequim on April 17.

Maddy Zbaraschuk broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning with an RBI hit. The Bulldogs tied it in the sixth off reliever Demiree Briones and got the game-winner and inning later.

"I thought we had 'em," Hendrickson said. "They always seem to get a hit when they need it and we don't. The key is getting a break here and there."

The next day, Sequim worked off a little steam and worked themselves into prime playoff position with an 11-1 drubbing of Kingston, the Wolves' second win against the second-year school in six days.

Lea Hopson was 2-for-5 with five RBIs, Chelsie Winfield had three hits, Zbaraschuk had two hits and Sarah Donahue drove in a run as Sequim out-hit Kingston 12-6.

Briones was strong on the mound, scattering six hits and a run and striking out three Bucs.

"We hit the ball well," Hendrickson said. "Everyone was putting the ball in play and we played good defense."

The Wolves were scheduled to take on Bremerton on April 20 - results were unavailable at press time. They take on North Kitsap at home on April 20 and Olympic on April 24.

The Wolves have out-scored those three teams 42-4 this season, a fact not lost on the Sequim coach.

"We just want to make sure we don't take any of these teams for granted - every team gets a little better at the end (of the season)," Hendrickson said.



Wolves dominate

Redskins

This one was over early.

The Wolves scored at least three runs each inning and overwhelmed the Port Townsend Redskins 21-3 on April 15.

Zbaraschuk was 4-for-4 with a home run and triple.

For Zbaraschuk, it was her team-leading fifth home run of the season.

"She'd have six or seven if we had a fence," Sequim coach Mel Hendrickson said.

Lauren Hendrickson had three hits and Donahue slap-ped a pair of hits in the rout.

Hendrickson picked up the win on the mound, going four-and-a-third innings, striking out six and giving up just one earned run. Briones finished the Redskins off, striking out five.

Despite some sloppy play (eight errors), Port Townsend looked better than in previous seasons, coach Hendrickson said.

"They're still a ways away, but that's the best Port Townsend team I've seen in awhile," he said.



Sequim stymies

Kingston

Zbaraschuk led a 13-hit attack with four hits and Chelsie Winfield pitched strong once again as the Wolves dominated Kingston at home, 10-2, on April 13.

Up 4-2, the Wolves pushed across four key runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

"I think we pitched well and our defense played good,"

coach Hendrickson said. "We've just been hitting the crap out of the ball. Our hitters are coming through." Briones finished in relief, pitching four strong innings.

Reach Michael Dashiell at miked@sequimgazette.com.



Olympic League

standings

(as of April 19)

Team Lg. Over.

North Mason 6-0 7-0

Port Angeles 6-1 6-1

Klahowya 6-2 6-2

Sequim 6-4 8-4

Kingston 3-4 3-5

Olympic 3-5 4-7

North Kitsap 1-5 2-5

Bremerton 1-3 1-3

Pt. Townsend 0-8 0-8