By Oly Archibald

PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Roughriders baseball team split their two district games on Saturday in Silverdale, losing to the #1 ranked Enumclaw 8-3, then beating Steilacoom 3-2 to finish third in the district tournament behind tournament champion Enumclaw and runner-up North Kitsap.

For their “reward”, the 19-6 Roughriders, as the #10 seed, will be sent to Southwest Washington to face the same team they played at state last year, #7 seed state power WF West (18-6) of Chehalis. The host school will be #2 seed Columbia River (19-6), who plays #15 seed White River 14-10. The two winners will play for a trip to the Final 4, 45 minutes after the second game ends. A lot of eyebrows were raised watching Columbia River go from the #12 seed to the #2 seed overnight. In fact, obviously, it surprised a lot of WIAA administrators because late last night the four teams were the only teams that did not have a place to play or a time schedule, unlike the other 12 teams who know where and when they are playing. Hopefully, that will be done today.

In the two Roughrider games over the weekend, Roughrider Rylan Politika was the first star. In the 3-2 win over Steilacoom, Politika pitched all 7 innings and did not walk one batter. Going into the 7th inning, Politika had given up just 2 hits and run one. In the first inning, after Alex Angevine singled, he was knocked in on a single by Jordan Shumway. In the 3rd inning, Josiah Gooding and Luke Flodstrom scored on a hit by Nathan Basden. Senior Ezra Townsend was a bright spot in the Enumclaw game, hitting a single, a double, and scoring a run.

Unfortunately, it was a tough day for the Sequim Wolves, coming up a game short of going to the state, losing to Enumclaw 9-1. The Wolves had beaten Kingston twice during the regular season. The Young Wolves end a very solid season with a 12-12 record.

In girls’ fastpitch, Port Angeles beat Sequim 15-0. The Roughriders take on North Kitsap today at 4:15.

For those going to the district track and field meet this weekend at North Mason High School, local fans will hear a familiar voice at Pugh Stadium. KONP Newsradio sports broadcast member Joe Gladfelter will have the honor to be the Public Address announcer. Gladfelter is a fan favorite on the KONP high school and NWAC basketball broadcasts for his in-depth basketball knowledge and his high basketball IQ.

Joe Gladfelter (left) will be the public address announcer at the District 2 & 3 track and field meet this weekend at North Mason High School