Sophomore Hunter Smith, seen here tracking a ball down last season, will help anchor a young Wolf roster. (John Fisken photos)
Senior Cole Payne can play multiple positions for the Wolves.
It’s a whole new ballgame.
Top to bottom, Coupeville High School baseball is in the middle of change as a new season approaches.
CHS grad Marc Aparicio has returned to his alma mater to take the reigns of the program, replacing hardball guru Willie Smith, who retired after 19 years at the helm.
As he heads into his first campaign, Aparicio is approaching things with an open mind, essentially viewing all of his players the same on day one.
“We have quite a few returning players and new freshman that have been playing baseball together for quite a while,” he said. “As a new coach, I’m going to evaluate every player, despite their past, and see where they best fit into our program.”
While Aparicio didn’t go into specifics with who might play where, it would be easy to assume that he’ll end up relying on his returning lettermen to anchor the squad.
There are five of those guys (Coupeville lost another five to graduation), led by seniors CJ Smith and Cole Payne.
Juniors Gabe Wynn and Clay Reilly and sophomore Hunter Smith join them, while, among the non letter winners, sophomores Julian Welling and Joey Lippo saw the most varsity playing time a year ago.
Whomever ends up on the field, and at whatever positions, Aparicio wants them to aim high.
“Our goal this season, as with any season, is to win the state championship,” he said. “To compete at state, it starts at day one – acting, practicing, playing and believing that we will meet our goal.”
The new coach, who will get help from returning assistant coach Chris Smith, wants his players to focus on working as a team.
“The strength of our team will be our commitment and teammanship,” Aparicio said. “We will focus on three things, the physical, mental and fundamental aspects of the game of baseball.”
Coupeville went 9-10 overall, 5-4 in 1A Olympic League play a year ago.
It swept three from Port Townsend, took two of three from Chimacum but were swept by eventual league champ Klahowya.
The Wolves then ended the season with a heartbreaking 1-0 home playoff loss to Cascade Christian.
As the Wolves prepare for their second season in their four-team league, Aparicio isn’t singling any of Coupeville’s primary foes out as the team to beat.
Instead, he wants to take down every one, while remaining focused on each new opponent as they pop up on the schedule.
“One game at a time – every game and every opponent is equally important.”
To see the CHS baseball schedule, pop over to:
http://www.olympicleague.com/index.php?league=21&page_name=game_schedule&school=24&sport=6
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