Coupeville’s sluggin’ sophomore shortstop Chelsea Prescott is heading to Eastern Washington for the 1A softball state championships. (Karen Carlson photo)
This is going to be a new experience.
The bracket for the state softball tournament was released Sunday, and Coupeville High School gets to face teams it has no prior history with.
The Wolves, who are headed back to the big dance for the first time since 2014, and the third time in the CHS softball program’s 41-year existence, get a blockbuster game to kick things off.
Coupeville, the #2 seed from District 1, opens against Montesano, the #2 seed from District 4.
The Bulldogs, who hail from the Evergreen League, have won four state softball titles (2008, 2009, 2015, 2017), the most of any 1A school during the fast-pitch era, which kicked off in 2002.
The opening game goes down at 10 AM Friday, Mar. 24 in Richland.
Win or lose, Coupeville plays a second time the same day, against either Deer Park, the #1 seed from District 6/7, or College Place, the #4 seed from District 5.
If the Wolves beat Montesano, its second game is at 4 PM. Lose to the Bulldogs and they return to the field at 2 PM.
Win both games and Coupeville is in the state semifinals; lose both games and the season is done.
Split the two games, and the Wolves get a third game Friday at 6 PM.
Win twice Friday, while moving in either direction in the bracket, and CHS plays anywhere from 1-3 games Saturday.
To see the bracket, pop over to:
http://www.nscathletics.com/tournament.php?tournament_id=2997&sport=15
This year’s tourney features nine teams returning from 2018’s throw-down, including defending state champ Lakeside (Nine Mile Falls).
Along with the champs, Lynden Christian, Mount Baker, Montesano, Castle Rock, Warden, Cle Elum, Deer Park, and Elma — last year’s runner-up — are back.
Busting through in 2019 are Coupeville, Seattle Christian, Forks, Royal, College Place, Freeman, and Colville.
That group replaces Chewelah, Kiona-Benton, South Whidbey, Connell, Cascade, Bellevue Christian, and Klahowya, who couldn’t replicate their 2018 magic.
This year’s 16-team bracket qualified thusly:
District 1:
Lynden Christian (12-11)
Coupeville (14-8)
Mount Baker (17-7)
District 3:
Seattle Christian (15-2)
District 4:
Castle Rock (17-5)
Montesano (17-5)
Elma (21-2)
Forks (11-10)
District 5:
Warden (21-2)
Royal (7-12)
Cle Elum (10-7)
College Place (16-7)
Districts 6/7:
Deer Park (15-7)
Lakeside (9 Mile Falls) (15-5)
Colville (15-6)
Freeman (15-7)
Coupeville softball’s previous state history:
2002 (3rd place):
beat Cle Elum 8-0
beat Royal 3-2
lost to Adna 4-0
beat Okanogan 6-1
beat Napavine 11-6
2014 (no place):
lost to Warden 8-1
lost to Okanogan 5-2
Info to know on Coupeville’s first and prospective second-round foes:
College Place:
Season record: 16-7
League finish: #2 in SCAC East
Run differential: 237-124
Seniors: (2) – Jenna Mendoza, Paris Orchard
Student body count: 149.13 (2B school which opts up to 1A for sports)
Coach: Corey Davis
Mascot: Hawks
History at state championships: 2nd appearance; 1-2 record
Deer Park:
Season record: 15-7
League finish: #2 in Northeast League
Run differential: 175-132
Seniors: (3) – Sharon Estes, Cassidy Henderson, Lily Pierce
Student body count: 441.25
Coach: Dana Shaw
Mascot: Stags
History at state championships: 8th appearance; 6-14 record
Montesano:
Season record: 17-5
League finish: Tied for #1 Evergreen League
Run differential: 222-105
Seniors: (4) – Matti Ekerson, Katie Granstrom, Lexi Lovell, Lindsay Pace
Student body count: 325.38
Coach: Pat Pace
Mascot: Bulldogs
History at state championships: 22nd appearance; 67-18 record
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