KP struggles offensively, loses to NK American

North Kitsap American pitcher strikes out 13, fires a complete game

Marques Hunter

of the Gateway

PORT ORCHARD — Most of the Key Peninsula Majors all-stars were overmatched when they stepped to the plate against North Kitsap American pitcher Nick Barbero.

Of the 18 outs the North Kitsap Americans recorded, Barbero was the major source, striking out 13 in a 5-1 victory on Sunday during the District 2 Little League tournament at Art Mikelson Field.

Barbero timed his pitch count to near perfection. He threw 84 pitches — 85 is the maximum for any pitcher in Little League baseball — and finished with a complete game.

Barbero didn’t have an arsenal of pitches, nor was he keeping the Key Peninsula batters off-balance with off-speed material. Instead, he threw one very hard fastball, and none the Key Peninsula batters could catch up to it.

It appeared as if Key Peninsula starting pitcher Julian Archuleta was going to match Barbero’s heat by throwing a mixture of fastballs and curves. Key Peninsula scored first when third baseman Nick Lacheney dropped down a bunt that scored right fielder Mason Laird from third base in the bottom of the second inning.

About the only mistake Barbero made the entire game was when he tried to throw Laird out at home, instead of getting the force out at first to end the inning.

In the top of the third — with the bases loaded and one out — Archuleta had a hard time finding the strike zone. He threw two consecutive wild pitches, and North Kitsap American took advantage with a pair of runs for a 2-1 lead.

Barbero continued to get ahead in the count, and Key Peninsula stuck with North Kitsap American — until the fifth. That’s when North Kitsap baserunners took advantage of more wild pitches.

In all, Key Peninsula surrendered four runs when the ball missed the catcher’s glove and rolled to the backstop.

Key Peninsula Manager John Kvinsland is used to his players hitting the ball. But they didn’t show up on Sunday.

“We didn’t get enough at-bats,” Kvinsland said. “Obviously, you have to score runs to win a ball game. The passed balls killed us.”

Key Peninsula’s Austin Keough had the team’s only legitimate base hit in the bottom of the second. Other than that, Barbero’s performance was untouchable.

After falling into the consolation bracket, Key Peninsula was scheduled to play in an elimination game on Tuesday after press time.

Gig Harbor and Key Peninsula Little League District 2 results and game times

Majors: The Gig Harbor American team beat East and South Jefferso 13-2 on Monday night and will play Bainbridge Island at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Gig Harbor National team plays Sequim at 7:30 p.m. today at Art Mikelson Field in Port Orchard. The Key Peninsula team played North Kitsap Northern after press time on Tuesday in an elimination baseball game.

9-10s: The Gig Harbor American and National teams won their first two games of the District 2 Little League tournament and will face off against each other at 6 p.m. today at the Gig Harbor Little League Complex. The winner will advance to the District 2 championship.

10-11s: The Gig Harbor National team beat North Kitsap American on Sunday 13-12 and will play Key Peninsula at 3:30 p.m. today at the Gig Harbor Little League Complex. The Gig Harbor American team competed against the North Kitsap National team after press time on Tuesday in a loser out baseball game.

Juniors: The Key Peninsula juniors team will play the Gig Harbor American/National team at 3 p.m. Saturday at Chimacum.