The 2014 softball season officially began Thursday with just a couple games and will be full steam ahead next week.
You can check out our season preview here and the team-by-team capsules here.
In the meantime, I thought I’d try my hand at pre-season predictions so here it goes;
1, Kingston: Based on what they have on paper the Buccaneers look strong on all fronts and are hungry after missing out on making the state tournament last year.
2, Sequim: In his third year, Mike McFarlen has the juggernaut rolling and the Wolves could wind up as co-champs with Kingston again.
3, Port Angeles: The Roughriders lost quite a bit to graduation but are still strong with several key players returning.
4, Olympic: The Trojans have been late-bloomers in the past, playing better ball late in the season and I don’t see that changing this year.
5, North Kitsap: Softball revolves around good pitching and Keller has been a workhorse for the Vikings the past few years.
6, Bremerton: With MacKenzie Willeford, the third baseman gives the Knights power and a chance to make the playoffs.
7, North Mason: The Bulldogs are still in the process of rebuilding but should be competitive.
8, Klahowya: The Eagles will give some teams some fits, but they just don’t have the numbers.
9, Port Townsend: The Redskins have a new coach and it always takes time to rebuild, especially at a small school.
Upcoming games (if it doesn’t rain)
Monday, March 17: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Everybody is on the road as Klahowya travels to Elma, Chimacum is at Sequim, Port Townsend hosts Coupeville and Port Angeles makes its way to Gig Harbor.
Tuesday, March 18: A classic match up between Bainbridge and Central Kitsap. This will be CK’s first-year coach Courtney Lacock’s first home game at Linder Field. Always a fun game with the Spartans.
Wednesday, March 19: Early test for the Trojans as they host Kingston in the Olympic League opener for both teams. Also playing; Klahowya at Port Angeles, North Kitsap at North Mason, and Sequim at Port Townsend.
Thursday, March 20: Bainbridge kicks off the Metro League season against Blanchet, one of the better teams in league that usually provides good competition for the Spartans.
Friday, March 21: More OL action as Bremerton travels to Port Angeles for its opener and Kingston is at North Mason, Klahowya at Olympic and NK at Port Townsend.
Note: I didn’t do a prediction for the Narrows League because we only have two schools, but my guess is South Kitsap should win its second league title, followed by Bellarmine Prep, Olympic, Gig Harbor and Central Kitsap.
