POULSBO — They had one game left to play May 7, but the North Kitsap Vikings already secured the Olympic League title.
The varsity baseball team was at an unreachable 11-4 league record before playing its final game of the regular season against the Klahowya Eagles, May 7.
The second-place Sequim Wolves (10-6) wrapped up their season May 5; unable to catch up to the league leaders.
The North Mason Bulldogs, Eagles, and Olympic Trojans were awaiting their final games to see how the season would wrap up. The three teams, plus Sequim, were vying for three berths into the District playoffs, which begin May 13.
The Eagles, Trojans and Wolves tied for second with records of 10-6 after the Eagles defeated the Vikings 4-2, and the Trojans defeated the Bulldogs. The Eagles earn the No. 3 seed into the playoffs, the Trojans the No. 4 seed.
The Vikings final two games became unnecessary for the team, having such a commanding lead.
It would be another story if the team lost their game to the Port Angeles Roughriders on April 30. However, the Vikings’ lead was secured with a 6-4 win over the Riders.
With the league title secured, the Vikings earn the No. 1 seed into the playoffs, and a first-round bye. They play May 14 at the Kitsap County Fairgrounds against the winner of two underdetermined opponents who play May 13.
The winner of the May 14 game advances to the semi-finals. The loser plays a loser-out game.
Five teams from the playoffs advance o the Regional State tournament, where they play for one of four slots in the semi-finals of the state tournament.
Fastpitch
Riders guaranteed at least share of league title
PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Roughriders had a one-game lead over the Kingston Buccaneers and Sequim Wolves before their final games May 8.
The Riders led 14-1 over the Wolves (13-2) and Bucs (13-3).
The Riders were scheduled to play the Wolves. A loss for the Riders would mean sharing the league title. A win would mean taking the title outright.
The Bucs were scheduled to play the Klahowya Eagles (2-12), the same day. A win would mean the possibility of finishing ahead of the Wolves, and a better berth into the District Playoffs.
The three teams, and the Bremerton Knights (9-6), were guaranteed berths into the playoffs. The playoffs begin May 23.
Girls’ tennis
Vikings setup for undefeated season
POULSBO — It all came down to the match against the Kingston Buccaneers, May 8.
The North Kitsap Vikings, well ahead of the competition, was one game from finishing the season undefeated.
The Vikings (9-0) lost one game in preseason to the Sequim Wolves. The rest of their matches included a few narrow defeats, and many blowouts.
Win or lose to the Bucs, the Vikings are guaranteed to compete in the Olympic League Tournament, held May 14-15 on their own courts.
