Photo: Roughrider Skipper Zac Moore will need big games from 3rd baseman Isaiah Gooding and Catcher Luke Flodstrom to beat WF West

By Oly Archibald

VANCOUVER, WA — Tomorrow is a big day as the Port Angeles Roughriders have a chance to make history as the greatest Roughriders baseball team of all time.

Before Roughrider fans start popping the sparkling cider, one must take a look at Roughrider modern-day history. The Riders will need to first get past WF West, a true state power. Last year in the State Sweet 16, the Bearcats shut out the Roughriders 10-0. The Bearcats won a state championship in 2013 and finished 2nd in 2017.

This year, the 18-6 Bearcats lost three times in close games to defending state champion Tumwater. The Bearcats beat North Kitsap 10-0, lost to Bainbridge 5-2, and lost the district championship game to 2nd-seeded Columbia River 9-2.

The Roughriders have not won a state tournament game in 23 years, since they beat North Kitsap 5-4 in 2001. The Roughriders have not placed at state since 1997, when they finished 4th after going 2-2.

The Roughriders have five seniors, and three of those starters —Ezra Townsend, Kaleb Mullen, and Colton Romero— are all heading to Skagit Valley, but would love to make the trip to Bellingham for the Final Four before they start their Cardinal baseball careers. All three players will need to be at the top of their game to give the Roughriders a chance for a minor upset. This is not the same powerhouse the Bearcats had last year, but they are still very good, especially their pitching.

The winner will play at approximately 5:30 against the winner of the #15 seed White River vs. #2 seed Columbia River game for a trip to the Final Four.

Two radio stations will carry the game from an historic ballpark in what could be an historic day for the Roughriders. You can hear the broadcast on KONP Newsradio and stream it at MyClallamCounty.com. The Firehouse Grill pre-game show starts at approximately 1:45. Oly Archibald and John Hayden will provide the play-by-play.

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The Roughrider girls’ fastpitch team opens district play in Lacey against Highline at noon.

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Track and field fans will flock to North Mason and Pugh Stadium for the district meet today and tomorrow. Roughriders Parker Nickerson, Donovan Heins, and Teanna Clark are some of the big names for the Roughriders. Freshman Clare Turella of Sequim jumped 5’1″ in practice this week and has a chance to win first place in the high jump.

Sequim freshman Clare Turella jumped a 5’1″ in the high jump at practice this week and is a favorite to win the event

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Former Roughrider Jacob Felton just completed his junior year playing for the Central Washington University Wildcats. Felton had a solid season, hitting .314 with 33 hits, 17 runs scored, 16 RBIs, and 7 doubles. The Wildcats went 21-19. Felton is majoring in clinical physiology.

Former Roughrider Jacob Felton hit 314 for the CWU Wildcats and had a solid season