Coupeville Sports

Katrina McGranahan (left) and Hope Lodell.

McGranahan circles the bases after her big blast. (Justine McGranahan photo)

Written by Joe Lippo.

Recently, Ben Etzell threw a very rare no-hitter for Coupeville High School.

This gave all the Wolf players a mental boost, and made Ben “King of the Hill” (mound?).

Who knew he would have company all the way up there so soon?

According to her parents, CMS 8th grader Katrina McGranahan has been in a bit of a slump lately.

I don’t know exactly what that entails (her batting average probably dropped below .900 or something like that), but in her latest game with the CWLL Juniors Venom, she broke that slump.

Actually, she shattered it.

Tabbed as the starting pitcher for the 3-0 Venom, she immediately started sitting Oak Harbor Mariner batters down while lowering the average temperature at the ball park by fanning all but one batter in the first three innings.

The fourth inning got slightly out of control with a few walks and some passed balls that allowed the Mariners to score three. But that was it.

No hits.

Of the 15 outs, 11 were by strikeout.

The four Oak Harbor batters that were lucky enough make contact with the ball were discouraged to learn that McGranahan is not the only girl on the Venom that can play ball.

First baseman Mikayla El-frank snared a foul ball and then a ball that came right up the first base line for outs.

Second baseman Bella Northup scooped a roller that came her way for the force at first, and McGranahan helped her own cause by grabbing a ball that came straight back to her, also for the out at first.

Venom batters were hot from the first pitch, with Veronica Crownover (RBI) and Hope Lodell (single, RBI) making solid contact and driving in runs.

Lauren Rose (single, double) drove in four RBI, second only to McGranahan’s six.

Tamika Nastali (single), Heather Nastali (single), Emily Licence (single) and Sarah Wright (single, triple) contributed to the hit parade.

Outstanding base running also helped them rack up the runs.

In the bottom of the fifth, the score was 12-3 in favor of the Venom, with one run needed to end the game by 10-run rule.

McGranahan came to the plate with the bases loaded.

The Oak Harbor pitchers’ offering was hit to deep center, taking two hops and hitting the fence. It was enough for McGranahan to circle the bases, sealing her complete game no-hitter, winning the game 16-3 and getting the grand slam to boot.

“We are playing good softball and more importantly we are playing as a team,” said Venom coach Kevin McGranahan. “Coach Ron Wright and I have been teaching the team concept for the last four years and the girls have grasped it and are now playing as one.

“Katrina had a great game but those games are not possible without the other eight girls on the field and all the players playing as a team,” he added. “Next game I am sure it will be a different girl or girls coming through and that is the beauty of coaching, when you see the girls playing together, having fun and picking each other up.

“We expect great things out of these girls in the future. Enjoy the show!”