Wolves earn win over quality foe

The season is only two games old, but the South Kitsap High School fastpitch team has already broken through with quality wins against state-caliber opponents.

SK’s stingy defense limited Olympia to one run in a 5-1 win Thursday at home.

Cathy Kneiss hit one of the longest home runs in SK history with a blast that reached the centerfield warning track.

A combination of walks and good situational hitting allowed four more runs to score for the Wolves (2-0).

The SK defense did the rest behind sophomore pitcher Dawn Thomas.

Thomas, who isn’t an overpowering pitcher, struck out five batters.

More importantly, she didn’t give up a walk, and she let her defense do the work.

The left side of the infield was busy all day, but senior third baseman Ashley Robinson and senior shortstop Kelsey Herstad continued to make play after play.

It was the type of game SK coach Kathy Ballew said she was pleased to see.

“Olympia is a good team but you can’t take anything away from our team,” Ballew said. “We played a good game. Ashley had no errors with all those balls that were hit to her. It was amazing.”

The win was especially sweet for the senior core of players who defeated Olympia for the first time in their varsity tenure.

Robinson said the Wolves may have been uncharacteristically cold with the bats today, but said their mix of offense and defense could take them a long way.

“We’re really working good together,” Robinson said.

“We’re really seeing the ball well and our defense is just awesome,” she said.

Ballew said the team’s positive attitude is making for a fun season, even though it’s only just begun.

Time will tell if that fun continues, but Robinson said this team is too competitive not to have fun.

“It’s not like other years where we were just here to play and have fun,” she said. “Now we’re ready to win, and that’s fun.”

The Wolves hit the road next Monday and Wednesday for a pair of league games at North Kitsap and Port Angeles

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