SILVERDALE — No matter what team the Buccaneers varsity baseball team plays Saturday in the District finals, coach Jeff Tapp knows it will be one of the toughest of the season.

However, win or lose, the Bucs will be going to State.

“They’re stoked,” Tapp said of the varsity team. “They’re pretty excited.”

The Bucs were seeded ninth into the West Central District III tournament. The tournament began May 8. It continues May 12 at Kitsap Fairgrounds and Franklin Pierce High School.

The Bucs next play Interlake at 1 p.m. at the Fairgrounds. If they win, they play the winner of the Fife/Sumner game at 4 p.m. If they lose, they play the loser of the same game at 7 p.m.

So far, the Kingston team has defeated Franklin Pierce, 1-0, and White River, 4-0.

Kingston’s Richie Sander threw his first no-hitter during the game against Pierce. Josh McLeod allowed a single hit against White River.

“They were outstanding,” Tapp said. “Our pitchers were unbelievably good.” Tapp attributes much of the Bucs’ success with their defense. They may not have high scoring games all the time, but they are giving up very few runs, he said.

Because McLeod threw against White River May 9, he will not be pitching against Interlake. Tapp expects either Sander or George Marinan to step on the mound.

Tapp was able to watch Interlake during the District tournament. He knows the team plays well.

“Their solid,” he said. “If we play like we’ve been playing, we should be fine.”

Following the District tournament, qualifying teams move on to State May 19 at either Davis High School (Yakima), Martin Stadium (Bellingham), W.F. West HIgh School (Chehalis), or Yelm High School.

District results (tournament continues May 12)

against Franklin Pierce May 8

Final: KHS 1, FP 0

KHS 100 000 0 — 1

FP 000 000 0 — 0

Battery — KHS: Sander and Setterlund. FP: Cabrera and Weelock. W: Sander. L: Cabrera.

Lead hitters — KHS: Setterlund 2-3, Run; Rabedeaux 2-3; McLeod 1-3, RBI.against White River May 9

Final: KHS 4, WR 0

KHS 004 000 0 — 4

WR 000 000 0 — 0

Battery — KHS: McLeod and Setterlund. WR: Johnson, Rohrbach and McMIllen. W: McLeod. L: Johnson.

Lead hitters — KHS: Sander 2-4, RBI; Marinan 1-3, 2B, BB, RBI; Rabedeaux 1-3, 2B, BB, SB, RBI.

Baseball: Vikes’ long battle ahead

SILVERDALE — The Olympic League champions are now in a fight for a State appearance.

The North Kitsap varsity baseball team needed to win a single game in order to guarantee a spot at State after winning the Olympic League title for the third year straight. The Vikings lost 2-0 to Sumner at Franklin Pierce High School.

With the loss, the Vikings must now win three games in a row to earn the fourth seed into State. The team is one of eight battling for that spot. The Vikings are scheduled to play Foster High School at 11 a.m. at Franklin Pierce High School. Foster lost to Interlake.

against Sumner May 9

Final: Sum 2, NK 0

Sum 000 010 1 — 2

NK 000 000 0 — 0

Battery — SUM: Boyd and Holland. NK: Straight and Fisher. W: Boyd. L: Straight.

Lead hitters — NK: Crowell 1-2; Waller 1-1.