“These girls played their hearts out!!”

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“These girls played their hearts out!!”

May 24, 2015 by David Svien

Freshmen Katrina McGranahan (11) and Lauren Rose started from day one and were immediate successes for the Wolves. (John Fisken photo)

Robin Cedillo (left) and CHS coach Deanna Rafferty (Shelli Trumbull photo)

Robin Cedillo (left) and CHS coach Deanna Rafferty hang out before a game this season. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

The postseason trek ended prematurely this season, but it still had its moments.

While the Coupeville High School softball squad couldn’t make it back to state — falling 6-2 to Bellevue Christian at districts Friday — the Wolves had a successful run with a very young roster.

With four freshmen (Katrina McGranahan, Lauren Rose, Hope Lodell and Kyla Briscoe) starting on a daily basis, CHS finished 7-12 overall, 5-4 in Olympic League play.

They won at least one game from each of their league rivals, including a 22-21 win over Chimacum, a team that is state-bound.

The Cowboys finished second at districts to earn that slot, losing to champ Seattle Christian 12-2 before rebounding to knock off Bellevue Christian 14-8 in the second-place game.

Coupeville missed out on a fourth meeting with Chimacum thanks to some strong defense from Bellevue Christian.

Facing off with their non-conference foe for the third time this season, the Wolves smashed the ball, but often right at a glove.

“Almost everyone hit the ball during the game,” said Wolf coach Deanna Rafferty. “It was just unfortunately right where their defense was.”

McGranahan smacked a pair of singles and sophomore Robin Cedillo collected a base knock of her own to pace the Wolf attack.

Coupeville loaded the bags in the seventh, but its hopes of a come-from-behind walk-off win, something it pulled off twice this season, fell short when Bellevue’s shortstop made a clutch diving catch to seal her team’s win.

Pitching at the high school level for the final time, four-year hurler McKayla Bailey whiffed six, while Lodell made a pair of sparkling catches in center.

While the season ended sooner than anticipated, Rafferty was pleased with the hustle and grit her team showed in her first year as a head coach.

“Despite a 4 and 1/2 hour bus ride these girls played their hearts out,” she said. “I’m so proud to end the way we did.”