Hardball squad opens with rivalry win

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Hardball squad opens with rivalry win

March 15, 2023 by David Svien

Wolf senior Scott Hilborn sizzled as a pitcher and hitter Wednesday in a win versus South Whidbey. (Jackie Saia photo)

He’s perfect if he retires now.

Steve Hilborn stepped into his new role as head coach of the Coupeville High School baseball program Wednesday and did it in style.

Riding a strong pitching performance from son Scott, and a balanced offensive attack, the new hardball guru guided the Wolves to a resounding 13-2 win over visiting South Whidbey in the season opener.

With road games Thursday at Meridian and Saturday at North Mason, Coupeville has a chance to get off to a solid start against non-conference foes.

If they play like they did against the Falcons, all the better.

The Wolves jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning Wednesday, pushed the advantage to 4-0 after two innings, then tacked on three more runs in the third and six in the fourth.

South Whidbey did manage to scrape together a pair of runs in the top of the third, briefly cutting the margin to 4-2, but CHS had an answer at every turn.

Scott Hilborn, launching his senior season on the diamond, threw all five innings in a game ended early by the mercy rule, using just 59 pitches while striking out three Falcons.

At the plate, Coupeville racked up 10 hits and eight walks, keeping its runners moving crisply bag to bag.

Scott Hilborn and Cole White rapped out singles in the first inning, with Jonathan Valenzuela delivering the first of his two doubles to key the attack.

The senior third baseman came back around in the third frame to mash another two-bagger, while Aiden O’Neill and Scott Hilborn both delivered two-out singles.

Coupeville put the game away in the fourth thanks to showing patience at the plate, turning six walks, and a Jack Porter single, into a game-busting six-run rally.

Scott Hilborn led the Wolf hit parade, collecting three singles, while White and Valenzuela each had a pair of base knocks.

Jack Porter, O’Neill, and Chase Anderson also notched hits, with Johnny Porter walking twice.

Camden Glover, Landon Roberts, Coop Cooper, and Peyton Caveness also got playing time, with Caveness bouncing back after being drilled in the neck by a wayward pitch.