Bricks, Jacobs shut down Shelton

South Kitsap fastpitch coach Kathy Ballew looks at her lineup and sees talent.

It only appeared in fleeting moments Wednesday, but that was enough for the Wolves to capture a 3-0 win against Shelton in Narrows League play.

“I think it takes us a little while to get familiar with the pitcher and get going,” South junior Alexis O’Dell said.

The Wolves had the bases loaded with two outs in the third inning when Highclimbers starter Maddie Gaa threw two consecutive wild pitches to score Holly Lider and Megan Ransier. O’Dell then hit the next pitch hard down the left-field line to score Bridjette Box.

“I don’t like walking and that was a nice pitch,” said O'Dell, who finished 2 for 3 with an RBI. “I knew I had to turn on it.”

That was all the runs the Wolves (6-1 overall, 5-1 league) would score, but it was more than enough for starting pitcher Emily Bricks, who allowed just two hits in four innings. Shelton (1-5, 1-4) had just three hits.

Ballew said Bricks could have thrown longer, but with South scheduled to play three consecutive days, she wanted to keep her pitchers as fresh as possible. Senior Sam Jacobs lasted the final three innings and struck out three batters to earn the save.

Gaa was similarly tough on the Wolves, allowing six hits in as many innings. South had runners on first and second with one out in the sixth inning, but Gaa was able to get Jacobs to fly out, while Cortney Echternach hit a pop up to first base to end the threat.

It was the first time this year that South failed to score at least five runs and win. Despite that, the Wolves now have won four consecutive games. They needed eight innings to beat Mount Tahoma 5-3 on Monday.

Emily Cunningham had 15 strikeouts while pitching a complete game and added a triple in the eighth inning. Ransier tripled to score Cunningham to start South’s four-run rally.

“You’ll see some different names in the highlights,” Ballew said. “We’re deep. If someone’s having an off day, there’s someone else to pick them up.”

The Wolves’ one loss was a 7-1 setback April 6 at Wilson. But Ballew said her team finally is close to being at full health. Tremper, a junior, was sidelined before spring break with pneumonia. Ballew also hopes infielder Brandy Ball can return soon from injury problems.

“We know that when we played Wilson it just wasn’t us,” she said. “We feel pretty good about our chances to battle for first.”

Wednesday

At South Kitsap 3, Shelton 0

Shelton 000 000 0 — 0 3 1

South Kitsap 003 000 x — 3 6 0

Maddie Gaa and Tasha Hamilton. Emily Bricks, Sam Jacobs (5) and Trish Tremper, Megan Ransier (5).

W-Bricks. L-Gaa. S-Jacobs.

Leading hitters: Alexis O’Dell (SK) 2-3 3B RBI; Megan Lund (S) 2-4.

Contact Port Orchard Independent Staff Writer Chris Chancellor at cchancellor@portorchardindependent.com or (360) 876-4414.

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