Jake Tumblin started behind the plate Monday and finished on the mound. (John Fisken photo)
The highs of the early part of the season have been replaced by the lows of a slump.
A Coupeville High School baseball squad that strung together four straight wins, making a habit of coming back to win just when all hope seemed lost, now just seems a bit lost.
After absorbing an unexpected 8-0 loss at cellar dweller Granite Falls Monday, the Wolves have lost five straight and find themselves sitting at 5-8 overall, 3-8 in Cascade Conference play.
With undefeated league leader Archbishop Thomas Murphy coming to the Island this afternoon for a make-up of a rained-out game, a resurgence in confidence is badly needed.
“We came out flat again,” said Coupeville coach Willie Smith. “We are not in a real good place right now, so hoping after a long heart to heart the boys will come out differently and get back to playing a lot more inspired.”
Against the host Tigers, the Wolves generated just five hits, with Kurtis Smith collecting two, including a double. While Josh Bayne and Jake Tumblin pitched effectively in spots, they failed to match the Granite duo of Riley Larson and Xavier Denke.
“Their pitcher was not anything special, we just had poor approaches at the plate, too passive,” Smith said.
The Wolves will get ample opportunity to reignite their season, with back-to-back home games.
After ATM (13-1, 12-0), the defending 2A state champs, who are currently ranked second in the state polls, comes to town, Granite Falls will visit Wednesday. Both games start at 4 PM.
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