Olympic’s Molly Gates wins Olympic League MVP

Molly Gates had a season to remember for Olympic and was the centerpiece of the West Sound’s most explosive offense.

The junior shortstop batted an eye-popping .710 with 15 home runs and 41 RBI as part of a Trojans attack that averaged 12.6 runs per game in league play and 10.5 overall. Gates was named the Olympic League 2A MVP for her exploits.

Her teammate, junior third baseman Vanisa Ivie, set a school record with 18 home runs and drove in 34 while batting .584 and was a first-team all-league pick along with Olympic first baseman Sadie Chipley, who hit .494 with six home runs and 20 RBI and outfielder Alannah Mitchell, who batted .459.

League champions North Kitsap placed three on the first team. Senior catcher Lamara Villiard led the Vikings in batting average (.567) and RBI (33) and hit nine doubles and two triples. Shortstop Iyreland Lawson hit .432 with 11 doubles, two home runs and 17 RBI. Pitcher Sarah Smith struck out 87 hitters in 82.2 innings and batted .390.

North Kitsap’s Alicia Goetz and Makayla Stockman were named to the second team, as was Olympic second baseman Elisa Turnquist.

In the South Puget Sound League 4A, South Kitsap placed two on the first team in a league stocked with plenty of talent. First baseman Jordynn Lawrence led the team in hitting with a .569 average and was selected along with sophomore outfielder Marisol Bergstrom, who hit .456.

Second-teamers included Naioki Marion (.431, 5 HR, 35 RBI), Kaitlynn Johnston (.540, three home runs, five triples, 27 RBI) and Maya Nehus (2.84 ERA in 61.2 innings).

Teanna Lathum, Lynden Wolf and Sarah Hoyt, Aubrey Faucett and Myanna Henke were named honorable mentions.

In the South Sound Conference, Central Kitsap outfielder Faith Schenk was named to the first team. Schenk hit .473 with five home runs and 18 RBI. Megan Weber and Paris Agana were selected as honorable mentions.

Klahowya had player selected for this year’s All-Nisqually League team, sophomore pitcher and infielder Shae Stevens.