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Some can't-miss West Sound high school sporting events in April

jeff graham, kitsap sun
·4 min read

With spring break in the books for West Sound's high school sports teams, it's time to look ahead to the second half of the regular season. April's schedule features plenty of noteworthy matchups, so if the weather cooperates, here's some events to consider attending over the next three-plus weeks.

April 11: North Mason at Olympic softball/North Kitsap at Port Angeles softball, 4:15 p.m.: It's been a difficult start of the season for Olympic, the only West Sound softball team to win a state tournament game in 2022. The Trojans are 2-5 overall and sit in fifth place in the Olympic League 2A standings.

Olympic saw a pair of home contests postponed mid-game: one, against Kingston on March 23, was halted due to rain. Olympic trailed 4-1 in the third inning and that game will be continued April 17. In another game against Port Angeles on March 28, the home-plate umpire abruptly left the field and drove home after getting into an altercation with fans. There's no makeup date scheduled yet for that game, which was tied 2-2 in the third inning.

If the Trojans are going to get things turned around, it starts with their first game coming out of spring break against North Mason (2-2, 1-2).

As for North Kitsap (7-0, 4-0), the Vikings lead the Olympic League and face a tough test right out of the break on the road against Port Angeles (7-0, 2-0). If that's too long a drive for Viking fans, North Kitsap will welcome the Roughriders to Poulsbo on May 4.

Kingston's Cadence Robles makes it to second ahead of Olympic's Hailey Feltis' catch during their game on Thursday, March 23, 2023. The game was postponed due to rain with Kingston ahead 4-1 in the third inning.
Kingston's Cadence Robles makes it to second ahead of Olympic's Hailey Feltis' catch during their game on Thursday, March 23, 2023. The game was postponed due to rain with Kingston ahead 4-1 in the third inning.

April 18: North Kitsap at Bainbridge baseball, 4:15 p.m.: It's quite likely this home-and-home series between the Vikings and Spartans will determine the Olympic League 2A regular season championship. Bainbridge (7-1, 5-0) hosts the first matchup, while North Kitsap (5-4, 5-1) will welcome the Spartans to Poulsbo on April 20.

North Kitsap junior pitcher Noah Sorensen, an Oregon State University commit, is slated to start for North Kitsap on April 18. So far, he's 2-0 with a 0.00 earned run average with 27 strikeouts in 18 innings. Junior Cole Pentin and senior Eddie Bignold are expected to pitch for Bainbridge.

April 18: Gig Harbor at Central Kitsap boys soccer, 7 p.m.: Gig Harbor (8-0, 6-0) sits atop the South Sound Conference 3A standings, but Central Kitsap (5-1, 5-1) is right behind in second place.

The Tides beat the Cougars on March 23, prevailing 2-1 in the final couple minutes of the game. This rematch is a chance for senior Jake McKenzie (West Sound-high 15 goals) and the Cougars to earn a measure of revenge and get back in the hunt for a league title.

Klahowya's baseball team entered spring break in first place in the Nisqually League 1A standings.
Klahowya's baseball team entered spring break in first place in the Nisqually League 1A standings.

April 21: Vashon Island at Klahowya baseball, 4 p.m.: Klahowya (5-1, 5-0) entered spring break in first place in the Nisqually League 1A standings, but challenges await with games against Bellevue Christian (8-2, 7-2), Vashon Island (5-2, 5-2) and Cascade Christian (5-2, 5-2) still on the schedule.

The Eagles are hitting .412 as a team with sophomore Camden Dickey (.643, 12 runs, 12 RBI and senior Gabe Carpenter (.612, 13 RBI) leading the way.

April 22: Lil Norway track and field, North Kitsap: West Sound's largest invitational is a chance for local fans to see many of the area's top athletes in one location, which is a rarity in the sport. Field events are scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Track events start at noon.

At last year's meet, Central Kitsap's girls tied Lynden for first place (North Kitsap took third). On the boys' side, North Kitsap placed second behind Lynden.

April 24: Bainbridge at North Kitsap boys soccer, 6:45 pm.: This rare Monday matchup features the two top teams in the Olympic League 2A through the first month of the season. Bainbridge (6-1, 6-0) knocked off North Kitsap (5-1, 5-1) 2-0 in the first game of the season.

North Kitsap’s Jerardo Larios goes up for a header during their 11-0 win over Kingston on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The Vikings improved to 2-1-1 overall with the win while the Buccaneers fell to 2-2-0 with the loss.
North Kitsap’s Jerardo Larios goes up for a header during their 11-0 win over Kingston on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. The Vikings improved to 2-1-1 overall with the win while the Buccaneers fell to 2-2-0 with the loss.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: West Sound high school baseball, soccer, softball key dates in April