GIG HARBOR — The frustration was palpable as blue-and-white clad players muttered words en route to the dugout.
South Kitsap junior right-hander Mac McCarty used a variety of arm angles to flummox Gig Harbor during Wednesday’s 2-0 win in a Class 4A Narrows League game.
McCarty only allowed two hits in his complete game shutout. He threw sidearm, three-quarters and overhand three times to strike out 11 Tides hitters.
“He keeps the hitters off-balance,” South coach Marcus Logue said. “He has an enormous amount of confidence in himself. The evolution of him from last year coming into this year has been awesome to be a witness to.”
Last season, McCarty was able to watch standout Michael Wood, who also used a variety of arm angles to help lead the Wolves to the 4A state championship game. But pitching mechanics were not McCarty’s biggest takeaway from Wood.
“I met Wood last year and the biggest thing I took from Woody was his mentality of no one’s better than you,” said McCarty, who also had two hits. “Don’t care who they are and what they’ve done in the past. Just pitch your game. You’re the best player out there.”
McCarty looked that way as he led South (7-2 overall, 4-0 league) to its fourth consecutive win.
But McCarty, who threw 57 of 77 pitches for strikes, also was effusive in his praise of the Wolves’ defense.
The most significant might have come in the sixth inning as the Tides (5-2, 2-1) had a runner on first with two outs. Shortstop Logan Knowles then leapt to snare a bouncer from Mark Sluys, who appeared to beat a strong throw to first base but was ruled out.
Was it the correct call?
“I don’t know about that,” McCarty said with a laugh. “That’s baseball.”
In addition to strong defense, McCarty also received some offensive support. Knowles led off the game with a double against starter Conor Scanlan and advanced during the ensuing at-bat when McCarty reached on an error by the third baseman. Knowles then scored when senior catcher Tyler Pinkerton followed with a sacrifice fly to center field.
“Logan coming out — that was perfect,” Logue said. “Coming out and being aggressive. That’s what we’ve been trying to preach.”
The Wolves’ other run came in the fifth inning when senior first baseman Tyler Ludlow, who went 2 for 4, hit a one-out double down the third-base line that plated Pinkerton.
The victory marked South’s third win in as many days. The Wolves defeated Bellarmine Prep 4-3 on Tuesday and won 9-3 on Monday at Central Kitsap. They return home at 4 p.m. Monday against Yelm.
“It was a good week,” Logue said. “We dealt with some adversity and learned a lot about us as a team and the teams in our league. We’ll be able to process that and use it as we move forward.”
Wednesday
South Kitsap 2, at Gig Harbor 0
South Kitsap 100 010 0 – 2 7 0
Gig Harbor 000 000 0 – 0 2 1
Mac McCarty and Tyler Pinkerton. Conor Scanlan, Dean Hassan (6) and Mark Sluys.
W-McCarty. L-Scanlan.
Leading hitters-Mac McCarty (SK) 2-4 2B; Tyler Ludlow (SK) 2-4 2B RBI.
Tuesday
At South Kitsap 4, Bellarmine Prep 3
Bellarmine Prep 001 110 0 – 3 7 0
South Kitsap 020 000 2 – 4 8 3
Leading hitter-Mac McCarty (SK) 2-3 2 runs.
