Softball sluggers find new leader!!

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Softball sluggers find new leader!!

February 7, 2015 by David Svien

It was all smiles last year for Madeline Strasburg and Co., as Wolf softball went to state for the first time in 12 years. Now they’ll welcome a new coach. (John Fisken photo)

The Wolves will welcome a Wildcat to town.

Former Oak Harbor High School softball player Deanna Rafferty has been tabbed to replace David and Amy King as softball coach at Coupeville High School.

The Kings stepped down to focus more time on their real-life jobs.

They have remained in charge of the Wolf girls’ basketball program, which is currently enjoying its best season in a decade plus.

Rafferty, who played all four years at OHHS, inherits a team in transition.

The Wolves went to state for the first time in 12 years last season, but lost a number of players, including five starters, in the off-season.

Haley Sherman, Breeanna Messner and Madeline Roberts graduated, while family moves subtracted Emily Licence, Emily Coulter and Erin Josue.

Still, Coupeville should return four starters in pitcher McKayla Bailey, first baseman Hailey Hammer and outfielders Madeline Strasburg and Monica Vidoni, while welcoming a strong class of freshmen headed up by Katrina McGranahan, Lauren Rose and Hope Lodell.

The health of Bailey, who threw almost every inning in 2014, is also a question, as she is recovering from shoulder surgery.

She expects to be ready to go on day one of practice, and requests as many cameras as possible be present to document the moment.

Bailey was a member of the committee that chose the new softball coach and she came away impressed with Rafferty.

“She seemed really excited to just get to work with us and one of her goals is to help us reach ours individually, which I thought was really important,” Bailey said. “She played in high school all four years so she understands what it takes.

“She’s very young for a head coach but I think that makes her relatable and approachable,” she added. “Overall, I think she’ll be a good fit for us. She said she’s very competitive and overall I think she’s just a positive person to be around.”