POULSBO — A scary thought for opponents: Could the undefeated North Kitsap 16-year-old Babe Ruth team actually be getting better?

The NK team used strong pitching, tight defense and a five-run second inning to propel itself over Central Kitsap Thursday night 11-0.

While the hitting and pitching weren’t unfamiliar to NK, it was the first game the team has played this season without an error.

Central Kitsap managed only two hits in the loss, both doubles off NK starter Jared Prince.

Head Coach Bob Hunter said that CK (2-4 in league) may have rattled itself at the plate.

When asked the difference, he pointed across the field to Prince.

“That guy on the mound. No. 18.” Hunter said. “These kids see him on the mound and assume the worst.”

Prince pitched four innings, walked two and struck out five.

The only hits off him came when leadoff batter Jake Schaffer slammed a long double down the right-field line in the game’s first at-bat, and first baseman Josh Reiland hit a double of his own with two outs in the second.

North Kitsap (6-0 in league) scored in each of the five innings, but the highest tally came in the second frame when they brought five home.

North Kitsap knocked four hits in the inning, including a two-RBI double by Andy Sturza and an RBI double by Prince.

Two CK errors helped to extend the scoring with two outs.

The NK team is almost halfway through the season. It is composed primarily of players who went to the Babe Ruth World Series two years ago — where the team took third — and the regional tournament last year.

NOTES: Three of CK’s four league losses have come at the hands of NK … Erik Gronnvoll provided the winning hit, a two-RBI single in the fifth that scored two runs and triggered the 10-run role.

Central Kitsap 0,

at North Kitsap 11

CK 0 0 0 0 0 X X – 0 2 2

NK 1 5 1 2 2 X X – 11 12 0

Brent Gooding, Steve Sanford (4) and Josh Ebenal; Jared Prince, Miles Thomson (4) and Marcus Curtis. WP – Prince. LP – Gooding. Leading hitters, CK: Jake Schaffer, 1-2, 2B, W; Josh Reiland, 1-2, 2B. Leading hitters, NK: Curtis 2-3, 3B; Kevin Gartin, 2-3, 2B; Andy Sturza 1-2, 2B; Jared Prince 2-3, 2B; Blake Buel 2-2.