Coupeville Sports

Haylee Armstrong and her chauffeur hit the road for a softball tourney. (Michelle Armstrong photo)

They fire lightning bolts and make the heavens quake with the fury from their bats.

Hitting the travel ball trail this summer, the 14 young women who comprise the Whidbey Island Thunder 18U softball squad are a talented bunch.

Half the team hails from Coupeville, while the other half should convince their parents to move to Cow Town in pursuit of year-round coverage of their athletic exploits.

Jada Heaton, Madison McMillan, and Taylor Brotemarkle, who are all wrapping up their sophomore years at CHS, anchor the squad.

Joining them in the lineup are fellow Wolf sluggers Allie Lucero, Haylee Armstrong, Maya Lucero, and Teagan Calkins.

The Lucero twins graduate Saturday, while Calkins is currently a freshman and Armstrong an 8th grader who started for the CHS varsity while still in middle school.

Mia Farris (far left) is sitting this one out, but fellow Coupeville High School sluggers Madison McMillan, Taylor Brotemarkle, and Jada Heaton are tearing up the softball diamond this summer. (Jennifer Heaton photo)

The pack of Wolves are joined by Oak Harbor’s Layla Suto, Lilly Norman, Ramona Ryder, Mekayla Smith-Day, and Loto Tupu.

Rounding out the Whidbey-based team are Grace Swenson and Jaymie Kallio, who hail from Sedro-Woolley.

Matt Suto is the team’s head coach, while CHS diamond guru Kevin McGranahan is working as his assistant.

The Thunder, who opened play recently, are scheduled to vie in a string of tournaments in June and July.

Their road tour will take them through pit stops in Tacoma, Mount Vernon, the Tri-Cities, and Lynnwood, as well as a trip to Surrey, British Columbia for the Canada Cup.