Community Sports

Sports Beat: Gig Harbor leads league, Peninsula in second

The Gig Harbor boys soccer team reeled off five straight wins to start the season, including a crucial 2-1 victory over South Sound Conference power Central Kitsap on Thursday, March 23.

The Tides (5-0, 3-0 SSC) also own wins over Class 4A teams South Kitsap and Gonzaga Prep, by identical 3-1 scores.

In the important win over Central Kitsap, Gig Harbor’s Porter Hansen scored on a penalty kick to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. The Cougars tied it up in the second half before the Tides’ Matt Ludlow scored the game-winner off a pinpoint assist from Kyler Goodwin.

Gig Harbor’s Owen Ghent controls the ball at midfield during the Tides’ 3-1 over Gonzaga Prep. Photo by Bryce Carithers

Coach Joe Ross’s Tides faces upcoming matches against teams currently tied for second place. They play at Timberline (2-2, 2-1) at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, and face defending league champion Peninsula (3-1, 2-1) on Thursday, April 6, at Roy Anderson Field.

Peninsula opened the season with a 2-0 win over Mount Tahoma before falling to Central Kitsap, 4-0, on March 16. The Seahawks rebounded with wins over Capital (3-0) and Yelm (7-0).

The Seahawks host North Thurston at 7 p.m. Tuesday March 28.

Fastpitch: Seahawk girls averaging 12 runs per game

The Peninsula girls fastpitch team is averaging 12 runs per game in a blistering start to the season for the defending South Sound Conference champions.

The Seahawks (4-0) own blowout wins over Auburn Mountainview, Curtis and Federal Way. They earned a hard-fought, 8-6 win over previously unbeaten Decatur on March 21.

In that game, the Seahawks scored three runs in the seventh inning to rally for the victory. Sophia Hooper and Ava Miranda each went 2-4 with 3 RBIs, with Miranda contributing two doubles. Pitcher Alli Kimball went the distance against the high-octane Gators, who averaged 17 runs a game.

“I am very lucky to coach this group again,” Peninsula coach Mike Paul said. All but one player returned from last year’s squad.

The Peninsula fastpitch team celebrates a win. Photo by Peninsula High fastpitch

The Seahawks play Jackson and Bothell on Saturday, March 25, at Auburn Riverside.

Gig Harbor (1-3, 1-0 SSC) opened its league schedule with a 10-3 win over Capital on March 17. The Tides have faced a tough nonleague schedule, losing to prominent Class 4A teams Decatur and South Kitsap.

The Tides most recently lost to Port Angeles, 14-13, on March 20. Gig Harbor plays at Yelm on Tuesday, March 28. There should be some scoring in that one — the Tornados (1-2) are coming off a 36-0 thrashing of Eatonville but are also surrendering 12 runs a game.

Riley Peschek gets a hit against South Kitsap. Photo by Bryce Carithers

Gig Harbor no-hits Yelm

The Gig Harbor baseball team (2-1, 2-0 SSC) no-hit Yelm in a 10-0 win on Thursday, March 23.

It was the conclusion of a sweep of a two-game set by the Tides, who demolished the Tornadoes 23-2 over both games.

Brendan Masini Jr. and Ryan Vorpahl combined to no-hit the Tornados on Thursday. Masini, relying mainly on fastballs, struck out three through two innings. Vorpahl’s sinkers and sliders took care of the final three innings with ease.

Vorpahl is returning from hip surgery eight months ago and appeared fully healthy against the Tornados. He got a weak ground out to close the 5th inning before the game ended due to the 10-run rule.

Sophomore catcher Cole Krilich went 2-3 at the plate.

In Gig Harbor’s 13-2 win on Tuesday, Chase Pringle went 4-4 with two triples, while Wesley Bonnici was 2-3 with a double and an RBI. Senior pitcher Garrick Cosmos allowed two runs on three hits through four innings to earn the victory.

The Tides host River Ridge at 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, at Sehmel Park.

Defending champion Seahawks drop 1st two league games

Peninsula (1-3, 0-2) dropped its first two league baseball games to Central Kitsap, by scores of 4-3 and 9-4.

In the March 21 loss, Peninsula had a 3-1 lead before fielding errors allowed the Cougars to escape with a 4-3 win.

The Seahawks have their work cut out for them if they hope to defend their 2022 conference championship. They host Silas at 4 p.m. Friday, March 24, at Sehmel Park.

Also

• Both local girls tennis teams won their first conference games: Gig Harbor defeated Timberline 5-0 while Peninsula beat River Ridge 4-1. Both will be back in action on Tuesday, March 28, when the Seahawks travel to Capital and Gig Harbor hosts River Ridge at 3:30 p.m.
• The Gig Harbor golf team beat Yelm, 84-19 on Thursday, March 23, at Madrona Links. Gig Harbor junior Chet West tore up Madrona’s front nine with a career low 33. Freshman Theo Snyder fired a 35, while Zavier Feasey-Allen and Liam Dalbec both shot impressive 39s. Rylan Coovert, Colin Morkert and Luke Browne each shot 41 during their nine holes rounds on Gig Harbor’s home course.
• The Gig Harbor dance team, H2WHOA, is competing in the state championships at the Yakima Valley Sun Dome on Friday, March 24. The Tides are looking to win back to back state titles in the hip hop division.