PORT ANGELES — The Roughriders’ Zoe Smithson belted two home runs and Jada Cargo-Acosta had a walk-off RBI double in the fifth inning to end the game in a 10-0 Port Angeles romp over Central Kitsap.
The win keeps the Riders’ record perfect at 12-0. It’s been an odd season in that Port Angeles had some close come-from-behind wins in their first four games. Three of those games were decided by one run.
Since that early run of good fortune and clutch hitting in the seventh inning, the Riders have simply exploded, outscoring their opponents 79-10 over their past eight wins. Those wins include three shutouts from the Riders’ pitchers and defense and six games with 10 or more runs scored on offense.
Smithson has been a big part of that eruption. On Monday, she scored two runs and had three RBIs with her two long balls.
“Zoe Smithson had a monster day at the plate,” said coach Randy Steinman.
Smithson is putting together some staggering statistics this season. For the year, she is batting .651 (28-for-43), with seven home runs, eight doubles and four triples for a slugging percentage of 1.512 and an on-base plus slugging percentage of 2.199. She also has scored 25 runs and driven in 25. All in 12 games.
The Riders added six doubles on top of Smithson’s two bombs. Teagan Clark went 3-for-3 with two doubles and two runs scored, Cargo-Acosta went 2-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs, Taylor Worthington went 2-for-3 with a double, a run scored and two RBIs, while Natalie Robinson and Peyton Rudd both had a double and an RBI. Ava Brenkman also hit 2-for-3.
On the mound, Cheyenne Zimmer picked up the shutout, going all the way. She gave up just four hits and no walks with eight strikeouts.
It was senior night and the final home game for the Riders. Port Angeles (12-0) plays a doubleheader at Olympic (5-7) on Wednesday (One of the games is a makeup of a rainout.).
Then the Roughriders begin an Olympic League postseason tournament as the No. 1 seed out of the Olympic League North on Saturday at Central Kitsap High School.
Port Angeles 10, Central Kitsap 0
CK 0 0 0 0 0 X X — 0 4 1
PA 0 0 3 0 7 X X — 10 14 1
WP: Zimmer
Pitching
PA — Zimmer 5 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 8K.
Hitting
PA — Clark 3-3, 2 2B, 2 R, SB; Smithson 2-3, 2 HRs, 2 R, 3 RBIs, BB; Cargo-Acosta 2-4, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Brenkman 2-3, R; Worthington 2-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Robinson 1-3, 2B, R, RBI; Rudd 1-3, 2B, R, RBI; Emi Halberg 1-3, R, SB, RBI.
Sequim 13, Bainbridge 3
SEQUIM — The Sequim softball team won its home finale, getting four RBIs from Greta Christianson, a 3-run home run from Jayla Julmist and a bases-loaded 3-run triple from Lily Fili.
Christianson went 2-for-3 on the day. Kiana Robideau went 2-for-3 and Kailyn Lopez went 2-for-2.
Lainey Vig pitched the entire five-inning game, picking up the win.
The Wolves (9-4) wrap up their regular season today with a road game at Central Kitsap (2-10). Sequim, a second-place seed in the Olympic League North Division, will play in a postseason tournament at Central Kitsap on Saturday.
Forks 11, Napavine 1
FORKS — The Forks softball team got a great performance both at the plate and on the rubber from Chloe Leverington in an 11-1 win in a 2B District 1 tournament game Monday.
Leverington hit a home run at the plate and struck out 11 Napavine batters.
“They were all fired up out the door. They played strong and just kept going,” said coach Traci Kratzer.
Kyra Neel also hit a home run and Aspen Rondeau hit a triple. Kadie Wood, Elizabeth Soto and Keira Johnson all hit doubles.
The Spartans played a second-round tournament game Tuesday at Toledo after press deadline.