If Matt Acker is going to lose, at least it’s to one of his own.
The Kitsap BlueJackets dropped their home opener Wednesday night, falling 7-6 to the Tacoma Cardinals at Lobe Fields at the Fairgrounds.
In a game filled with errors (three on the Cards and two on the Jackets), David Benham ripped a two-out RBI double to put Tacoma up for good in the bottom of the ninth.
“If I have to lose to somebody, the feeder team is part of our system,” Acker said. “It’s good to see the kids and it’s good to see what we have in our system.”
Thursday’s loss, a 8-1 defeat to Corvallis didn’t provide that glimpse into the future for Kitsap however, leaving just the sting of defeat.
“In the beginning, we didn’t adjust,” Acker said. “That’s terrible. We have to adjust.”
Kitsap starter Chad Wagner (Lower Columbia) struggled with his command early, walking a couple while giving up three hits. An error on first baseman Bucky Aona (Southern Utah) didn’t help either.
But Kitsap settled down, not giving up any more runs until the top of the ninth when Corvallis scored four more.
“In the middle we were fine,” Acker said. “We hit the ball hard. Nothing that was terrible. But when you put yourself in a hole like that, that happens.”
Now he hopes the loss to the Knights will light a fire under his team for Saturday’s series finale, which begins at 7 p.m. at Lobe Fields at the Fairgrounds.
“We have to hit consistently, make our adjustments early (and) communicate,” he said. “The basics.”
After tonight’s game, Kitsap will travel to Wenatchee and Moses Lake for a six-game road trip before returning home on June 24 against Bellingham, featuring University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker.
BIFC team Premier bound
The Bainbridge FC Girls U14 team qualified for Premier 2 Division in the Washington State Youth Leagues at the League Placement Tournament that was held over the last two weekends in Pasco.
The girls ensured a P2 berth with second weekend wins of 4-0 over Spokane Elite and 3-0 over Sparta America FC of Tacoma.
The league placement tournament held in Pasco creates many challenges, not least the heat, wind and lots of games over each weekend, with each game having an impact on the league placement of each team for their fall season.
This team will be the only Girls U14 team making it to represent Kitsap County in the WSL.
“I am truly amazed how far this group of players have come along in the last two months,” coach Phil Avison said. “The quality of play and team chemistry is outstanding, front to back.
“We formed this new team in April and the girls commitment to their development is already bringing its rewards.”
Bainbridge FC will get strong competition in Division 2 from Synergy FC (Fife), Whatcom Rangers FC (Bellingham), 3 Rivers (Pasco), ISC Arsenal (Issaquah), Pacific Premier FC (Marysville) and Northewest United (Skagit Valley). The GU14 league season commences in September.
The Bainbridge FC team members are all Bainbridge Island residents from 6th, 7th and 8th grades: Cailyn Schreck, Channing Bolt, Briana Ledoux, Sarah Morgan, Regan Wortley, Ivy Terry, Bella Crowley, Justice Wolf, Leah Mulholland, Alexa Strabuk, Maude Gibbons, Grace Kenyon, Sallie Marx, Ellie Hutchinson and Sydney Severson.
–With information supplied by BIYSC’s Phil Avison
