Coupeville Sports

Maria Rockwell and Co. hope for a long playoff run. (John Fisken photo)

Third time better be the charm.

When the Coupeville High School softball squad kicks off the double-elimination 1A District 1 playoffs Friday in Sedro Woolley, it will become the third consecutive Wolf team to face Lynden Christian in its postseason opener.

Here’s hoping things go a little better in try #3.

The CHS boys’ soccer squad was eliminated 1-0 on the road by the Lyncs, while the baseball squad lost a 2-1 pitcher’s duel at home in their district opener.

While no softball teams will get a home game — the tournament is held at a neutral site, Janicki Fields — Coupeville will go into the opener as the higher seed and play as the home team. The #1 seed out of the Cascade Conference, the Wolves are seeded second overall, behind just Blaine.

Coupeville (5-13 with a game at Sultan today) will play two games Friday. Win or lose the 4 PM Lynden Christian (6-14) game, they move on to face either the winner or loser of Meridian (5-14) and Nooksack Valley (12-8).

Win both and they return to Sedro Woolley Saturday to play in the championship game and would be guaranteed a trip to tri-districts May 16-18.

Split the pair and they’re back on Saturday to play a loser-out game. Win that, and they qualify for tri-districts and play in the 3rd/4th place game that afternoon.

Lose both on Friday and the season is done.

But that’s not going to happen.

Follow the bracket at http://www.wiaadistrict1.com/tournament.php?act=view&league=1&page=1&school=0&sport=15&tournament_id=905.