Coupeville Sports

Coupeville sluggers Cameron (left) and Sydney Van Dyke hang out with pops. (Photos courtesy Grant Van Dyke and Michelle Armstrong)

“These girls have nothing to hang their heads about.”

Playing inspired ball all the way, from the first pitch to the final hit, the Island Vipers 14U softball team ended summer play last weekend with a bang at the Diamonds Fastpitch Tournament in Lynnwood.

“The girls showed the fight they have all year, but this time they had to dig deep,” said head coach Grant Van Dyke.

“I am so proud of all of them and can’t wait to see what they do next year.”

Vipers leadoff hitter Haylee Armstrong spent most of her weekend getting on base.

With a shuffled lineup to cover for players absent due to family trips (Ava Lucero) and big sister’s weddings (Chelsi Stevens), the Island crew stretched their final two games to extra innings before finishing with a second-place trophy in the silver division.

“We had every girl contribute to the weekend,” Van Dyke said. “(Pitcher) Adeline (Maynes) took care of the opposition bats like she always does, and our bats got hot.”

The Vipers played five games over two days, winning two and coming within a pitch of upending the Spartans in a 6-5 thriller in the finale.

That game literally came down to a two-out, two-strike, walk-off hit down the line, showcasing how the game can be decided by an inch here, an inch there.

Capri Anter had a hot bat in Lynnwood.

Fresh off a strong summer, the Vipers send their players back to their respective Whidbey Island schools, with Wolves, Falcons, and Wildcats all represented on the roster.

Next time around, the travel ball program will grow, as they plan to field both 16U and 14U teams going forward.

Weekend stats:

Shea Allison — Two singles, one double, two walks
Capri Anter — Five singles, one walk
Haylee Armstrong — Five singles, two walks
Jolene Coleman — Two singles, one double, one walk
Emma Cushman — One walk
Lena Heggenes — Three singles, one walk
Adeline Maynes — Two singles, one home run
Kennedy Strevel — Three singles
Cameron Van Dyke — One single
Sydney Van Dyke — One double, four walks
Abby Whitney — One single, one walk
Sophie Ziegler — Two singles, two doubles, two triples

The Vipers show off some hardware after a long weekend.