Tides complete fastpitch sweep over Abes

Narrows League playoffs will test team’s improvement

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

Tiffany Blanchard, the lone freshman for the Gig Harbor Tides fastpitch team, allowed just two hits in five shutout innings Friday to lead the Tides past the Lincoln Abes 10-0 in a Narrows League Bridge Division contest.

Blanchard (3-13), who has been pitching in place of sophomore Kjersti Johnson for a number of weeks because of back spasms, said she used to be nervous when she first became a starting pitcher, but she’s not anymore.

“I’m trying to work on new pitches and hitting my spots,” she said.

Tides coach Brooke Quam said she’s stepped in and filled the role well.

Blanchard said she was relaxed during the first shutout of her high school career.

Beating Lincoln was a confidence-booster for Gig Harbor, which faced South Kitsap on Monday.

With the league playoffs around the corner, the Tides still are on the outside looking in for a chance to make it to the West Central District III tournament.

And while Blanchard started on the mound Friday, Johnson played second base in her first full game since being injured.

“I was excited to get back in the game,” she said.

Johnson got the final three outs after relieving Blanchard in the sixth inning.

Johnson said she felt fine except when she was running the bases. Quam’s goal is for her to be fully prepared as the team enters the Narrows League tournament.

Nonetheless, Johnson made her return noticeable with a leadoff double to start the game.

The Tides jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the first inning.

In the top of the second, Johnson made a nice play at second base — saving two runs — to end the inning.

Throughout the game, Abes pitchers struggled to find the strike zone. The Tides ended up winning by way of the 10-run mercy rule in the sixth inning after an infield base hit.

Gig Harbor Junior Courtney Dignam, who usually plays in the outfield, started at the catcher and said the team has been working on cutting down mistakes and throwing the ball accurately.

It showed against Lincoln as the Tides didn’t commit an error.

Gig Harbor sophomore Mickelle Oslin said the Tides worked on fundamentals, which they did pretty well.

“A lot of times, we need to work on which pitches to swing at,” said Oslin, who added that the entire team was patient at the plate.

Quam said it was nice to see Johnson back in the rotation and playing in the field.

“I need a healthy team before the league playoffs,” she said. “My starting pitcher (Johnson) will be able to throw.”

Quam said the Tides can be successful during the league playoffs by eliminating errors in the field and swinging at good pitches.

“Most of us know how to run the bases, and we understand more about our strike zone,” she said.

Reach Sports Editor Marques Hunter at 253-853-9243 or marques.hunter@gateline.com.