POULSBO—Jordan Jewett’s line-drive single to left field off Mount Tahoma starting pitcher Ashley Denbrock’s first pitch of the game was a harbinger of the hitting clinic North put on before the hometown crowd Monday.

When it was finished, North pounded out 14 hits and scored nine runs in a much-needed 9-2 victory. Currently, North is in sole possession of third place in the Narrows League Bay Division with an overall record of 11-4 (8-4 league).

“It was fun to see our bats start rattling again,” Vikings coach Bill Hobaugh said. “Our goal going into the game was to get the bat on the ball as much as we could. We had the timely hits today that we didn’t have against CK on Saturday.”

After putting up two runs in the first inning, the Vikings sealed the deal in the bottom of the third. Josie Ball led off the inning with a single and Kendal Peiguss drew a walk, setting the stage for catcher Hannah McCluskey, who delivered the knock-out punch. McCluskey ripped a triple deep to right centerfield easily scoring Ball and Peiguss, extending the Vikings lead to 4-0. McCluskey then scored when left fielder Sara Mathiesen singled later in inning, giving North a 5-0 lead after three innings of play.

North tacked on one run in the fourth, one run in the fifth, and two more runs in the sixth inning to bring its total to nine runs in the contest.

Leadoff hitter Jewett had one of the best games at the plate of any North player this year going a perfect 4 for 4 with four singles. Mathiesen went 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs as well.

Jenneke Oostman put forth another solid performance on the mound, nabbing the win while allowing only one run and three hits in five innings of work. Peiguss pitched the final two innings for the Vikings, striking out five of the eight batters she faced.

North showed its mettle, rebounding after a heartbreaking 2-1 defeat against Central Kitsap Saturday. Hobaugh said his team needed a win after losing a nail-biter against their Kitsap County rival.

“It’s getting close to tournament time,” he said. “We needed a game like this.”

Hobaugh said he will heavily rely upon his seniors to take control of the team in the final month of the season.

“Our senior leadership is going to be a huge help for us in the postseason,” he said. “Laurel Patton, Sara Mathisen, Josie Ball, Krishelle Welsh all have played in tough games and know what it takes to win those games once we get there.”