Central Kitsap is 2-8 against Timberline since May of 2017 but they'll have a chance to close the gap a little bit on Thursday. The Cougars will take on the Blazers at 4:00 p.m. Central Kitsap will be looking to extend their current six-game winning streak.
Central Kitsap lost a heartbreaker the last time they played Bremerton, but it's fair to say they got their revenge given the result of Wednesday's game. The Cougars blew past the Knights 23-1 on Wednesday. Considering the Cougars have won eight matchups by more than six runs this season, Wednesday's blowout was nothing new.
Ava Day and Scarlett Mabe did most of the damage at the plate: Day scored five runs and stole a base while going 5-for-5, while Mabe scored four runs and stole a base while going 2-for-5. That's the most runs Day has posted since back in March of 2024. Coral Howell was another key player, going a perfect 1-for-1 with two runs, one triple, and one RBI.
Central Kitsap was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .514. That was just more of the same: they've now posted a batting average of .355 or higher in six consecutive contests.
Meanwhile, there's no place like home for Timberline, who bounced back after a loss on the road on Monday. They had just enough and edged out North Thurston 6-5 on Tuesday. The victory continues a trend for the Blazers in their matchups with the Rams: they've now won six in a row.
Madelyn Gilmore was a major factor while hitting and pitching. On the mound, she struck out ten batters over seven innings while giving up three earned (and two unearned) runs off eight hits (and only one walk). She has been nothing but reliable: she hasn't given up more than two walks in four consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, scoring a run while going 2-for-2.
In other batting news, Kayleese Dorfner was incredible, getting on base in all three of her plate appearances with one home run and two runs.
Central Kitsap pushed their record up to 10-1 with the win, which was their third straight at home. The home victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 13.7 runs over those games. As for Timberline, their win bumped their record up to 8-2.
Thursday's game will be a test for both teams' pitchers. Central Kitsap hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .418. However, it's not like Timberline struggles in that department as they've averaged .411. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
Central Kitsap skirted past Timberline 7-5 when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Will the Cougars repeat their success, or do the Blazers have a new game plan this time around? We'll find out soon enough.
