Coupeville Sports

Mia Farris hit a home run and made a spectacular defensive play Tuesday, as Central Whidbey Little League clinched the title in an all-Island “Softball Classic.” (Jackie Saia photo)

Friendly rivals share cake after Tuesday’s game. (Photo courtesy Fred Farris)

The look of a champion. (Saia photo)

“Bring on the cake!!” (Saia photo)

Winner, winner, cake for dinner.

The Central Whidbey Little League Majors softball squad made it seven straight wins, bouncing their arch-rivals Tuesday night to claim the title in an all-Island “Softball Classic.”

The Hammerheads stifled the North Whidbey Bandits 9-2 at Rhododendron Park, giving them a 3-0 run in the tourney and lifting their season record to 14-1.

The four-team royal rumble brought Central, South and North Whidbey together, with Coupeville’s best proving too much for Oak Harbor’s two teams and Langley.

Since the tourney was a double-elimination affair, the Bandits, who lost their opener to Central Whidbey, would have needed to sweep two games from the Hammerheads to claim the title.

Coupeville’s diamond queens had no intention of playing Wednesday, however, and jumped on their foes early and often Tuesday night.

Playing as the visiting team on their home turf, after losing a pregame coin flip, the Hammerheads pushed two runs across in the first.

After that, Central Whidbey built a 4-0 lead midway through the third inning, surrendered one run, then promptly tossed three more on the board to give itself some breathing room.

From there, the Hammerheads strolled home, adding two runs in the sixth to pad things out.

Central Whidbey tossed a new pitcher into the mix, with recent addition Savina Wells taking the ball from CWLL coach Fred Farris, and the Coupeville 6th grader was impeccable.

Whiffing eight while tossing a complete game, Wells was also a mighty masher at the plate, bombing two home runs while batting lead-off.

“Savina was in complete control and really pitched a gem,” Farris said.

Wells got plenty of help from her teammates, as the Hammerheads combined to whack 11 hits and play superb defense.

Mia Farris, Madison McMillan, and Chloe Marzocca chipped in with two hits apiece, with Mia Farris joining Wells in launching a home run.

Rounding out the hit parade were Brionna Blouin (2B), Allison Nastali (1B), and Teagan Calkins (1B).

Facing a strong foe in North Whidbey, the Hammerheads used inspired defense to shut down any rallies before they got started.

Mia Farris, who earned a golden game ball along with North Whidbey’s Reese Wasinger, made a diving snag on a foul ball in front of the visitor’s dugout to end the fourth inning.

“She had a highlight-reel catch,” said her proud dad/coach. “The crowd and her teammates erupted.”

Not to be outdone, Blouin came up firing on what proved to be the game’s final play, launching a laser to second to nab a would-be base-stealer.

As they celebrated with medals and cake, which they shared with their friendly rivals, the Hammerheads left their coach beaming.

With just two games left in the regular season — one Friday and one June 1 — Fred Farris is pleased with the growth he’s seen from his players, and excited about the future.

“The girls really upped their game during the tournament,” he said. “Scoring 35 and only giving up three in their three games.

“We start gearing up for all-stars (soon) and have a few things to tighten up, but these girls are ready to make their mark!,” Farris added. “Proud of these girls and how far they’ve come this season!”