Photo: The Port Angeles Xplosion exploded in Centralia going 5-0  with a 12-1 win over Bonney Lake for the championship

By Oly Archibald

PORT ANGELES — Congratulations to the Port Angeles Xplosion girls’ fastpitch team, who traveled to Centralia and emerged victorious in the 13-team tournament against squads from across the state. The Xplosion, comprised of 5th, 6th, and 7th graders, went undefeated at 5-0, clinching the championship by defeating the powerhouse Bonney Lake’s Freedom Fastpitch 12-1. Throughout the tournament, the Xplosion consistently outscored their opponents by an impressive margin of 10 to 3 per game.

The Xplosion is among several girls’ fastpitch teams in Port Angeles, contributing to the feeder programs that bolster the Port Angeles High School team and earn statewide recognition. The team’s success has drawn admiration from opposing coaches, many expressing interest in acquiring talent like that of Port Angeles.

In baseball news, the 8th-ranked Port Angeles Roughriders are set to kick off district play tonight at Civic Field against the underrated 13th-ranked Fife Trojans. Despite a 14-7 record, the Trojans have put up stiff competition against top-ranked teams like Enumclaw, losing by just one run in close matchups. Leading the Trojans is sophomore Dylan Hoot, boasting a remarkable batting average of .433 along with 26 hits and 24 RBIs. Meanwhile, the Roughriders will rely on Junior Nathan Basden, who leads the team with a .417 batting average, and Junior Shortstop Alex Angevine, who tops the team in stolen bases with 17 and hits with 20. Tune in to KONP Newsradio for live coverage of the game, starting with the Firehouse Grill pre-game show at 3:45 PM and the first pitch at 4:00 PM.

Elsewhere, the Sequim Wolves, seeded 13th, are on the road to face the 12th-seeded Tyee, with the winner advancing to take on the loser of the Port Angeles vs. Fife game. And don’t miss the girls’ fastpitch action today, as Sequim hosts Olympic while Port Angeles travels to Kingston.

On the golf front, congratulations to Emily Post and Ava Johnson of the Sequim Wolves golf team for qualifying for the State Golf Tournament. Meanwhile, Raimey Brewer and Sara German continue their district play battles.

It’s been a great year for Head Coach Bob Anderson and his Roughriders golf team