Coupeville Sports

          Aaron Curtin, seen here during legion ball, had a strong start in game two. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

There was a little something for everyone Friday. Just not a win.

Despite putting together some solid hitting, a little pin-point pitching and the heady rush of Ben Etzell stealing home, the Coupeville High School baseball squad was unable to knock off Cascade Conference power Lakewood.

Not that the Wolves didn’t come close.

Toss out one big inning in each game, and the doubleheader sweep goes the opposite way. But, there was that one pesky big inning in each game and it sent Coupeville to 6-3 and 6-5 losses on the road.

After being rained out twice, just getting on the field was a nice start for the two teams.

With Etzell zipping strikes from the mound in the opening game, Coupeville jumped on the Cougars early. Despite not getting many hits in game one (just two), the Wolves struck first on an RBI from Aaron Trumbull.

The lead didn’t hold, however, as the Cougars strung together four hits during a five-run rally in the bottom of the third. Wade Schaef came on in relief and shut down Lakewood, but the damage was done.

With just a double from Korbin Korzan and a single from Schaef, Coupeville relied on a small ball approach, collecting five steals (two by Etzell) and forcing Lakewood into committing five errors.

By contrast, the Wolves were fairly flawless in the field.

“Defensively we were pretty solid, although we did have a misplayed fly ball in the third that would have helped us,” Coupeville coach Willie Smith said. “Overall, we ran the bases well and I was pleased overall with the pitching and defense.”

The big bats suddenly surfaced in game two, as Morgan Payne went on a tear, hammering three hits, including a pair of doubles. Drew Chan crunched a two-bagger of his own and Etzell bull-rushed the plate for a successful steal of home.

But, just as the bats warmed up, the gloves cooled off behind hurlers Aaron Curtin and Trumbull. Up 5-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth, the Wolves gave up four unearned runs in the inning, thanks largely to some bobbled balls.

“We had some major defensive lapses,” Smith said.”We did a lot of good things, but really need to limit the other team to no big innings. I know, that is a very profound statement…

“The things we need to fix are very fixable,” he added. “It was very encouraging for us to hit the ball like we did in game two and get the pitching performances we did.”

Coupeville will get an immediate chance to bounce back when it hosts Nooksack Valley in a non-conference game Saturday, March 16. First pitch is set for 1 PM, unless the Whidbey rain returns.

Read Full Post »

Aaron Trumbull brings the heat. (Shelli Trumbull photos)

     Jake Tumblin anchors the team behind the plate and on the base paths, where he was a base-stealing whiz last season.

The Payne boys ride again, with Cole (right) joining big brother Morgan.

Willie Smith would love to have a lineup of home-run hitters, but there’s one problem. Sort of.

“I haven’t received my supply of deer antler serum yet, so we will be more of a run-producing team,” joked the Coupeville High School baseball coach.

While he may not have any Ray Lewis-style enhanced players, Smith does have a roster deep with talent. A squad dominated by juniors and sophomores, it is virtually man-for-man the same lineup that won a state title with the Central Whidbey Junior Little League in 2010.

“This group has been playing at the varsity level since they were freshman,” Smith said. “They have made huge strides since they were freshman and are ready to take the next step towards being the successful team they’re capable of.”

It will start with an offense that will look to manufacture runs, instead of relying on big boppers. Though, if the dingers show up, that’s fine, too.

“We have good team speed and are focusing on the small ball element of the game, which is what I like anyway,” Smith said. “We will have some pop this year but we are not yet at the Bash Brother level yet.

“I always think we need to hit better!,” he added “Offensively, we do have some things to prove game-wise and we have been working hard to address those issues. We have to become more consistent and efficient offensively and be able to produce multiple big innings, not just one.”

They may not need to score many runs, as the Wolves boast a deep pitching staff.

Junior Ben Etzell and sophomores Aaron Curtin and Korbin Korzan are expected to be the main starters, while their pool of relievers includes juniors Jake Tumblin and Wade Schaef, sophomores Aaron Trumbull and Josh Bayne and freshman Cole Payne.

With three games a week, having a surplus of quality pitchers is a bonus.

“We have a very strong pitching staff. Not only do we have a lot of arms but we have quality and confident arms,” Smith said. “The work that this group has put in, starting last year during the season, continuing with a successful summer season, and the incredible amount of off-season work this winter will undoubtedly lead to huge strides and success this season.”

Backing up the staff will be a defense anchored by Tumblin, who calls the game from behind the plate, and second baseman Drew Chan, likely the only senior to start this season. Other impact players include three juniors, all state champs, outfielder Kurtis Smith, first baseman Brian Norris and shortstop Morgan Payne.

The 1A Wolves play in the highly-competitive Cascade Conference, which includes five 2A schools, including defending state champ Archbishop Thomas Murphy, which is led by the top player in the league, shortstop Trevor Morrison.

Toss in traditional powers Lakewood and Cedarcrest and the always reliable rivalry with South Whidbey, and the league will be a battle day-in and day-out.

“Our goals are pretty simple: finish top three in league and make a big run into the playoffs,” Smith said. “We were able to go deep into the playoffs in 2008 and 2010 and we are looking to get back there this year.

“The reality for us is this — we believe we can and will beat any team any day,” he added. “The kids have put themselves in a position to have a great run this year and when we start to do that it’s going to extremely fun to watch and be a part of.”

Read Full Post »

Kurtis Smith lets rip with a throw from the outfield. (Shelli Trumbull photo)

The softer side of Smith, as he hangs out with his nephew, Liam.

Kurtis and dad Mike.

Kurtis Smith has large shoes to fill.

The Coupeville High School baseball star is the youngest of DeeAnna Smith’s four children, and the first three — Kassie and Kayla Lawson and Katie Smith — were all superb athletes for the Wolves.

Kassie played college basketball and Katie was a brilliant three-sport star from the first moments of her freshman year, and that’s just the start.

Not that Kurtis has exactly been a slouch himself. When he wants to keep up with his sisters, he just needs to remind them he won a state championship.

Smith was the pitcher on the mound at the exact moment the Central Whidbey Junior Little League team crowned itself the best in Washington in 2010. It’s a moment he still remembers vividly.

“The number one highlight of my baseball career was winning state,” Smith said. “We had most of the same players we have now and we put incredible effort towards our season with great rewards.

“I still remember the last inning. I was pitching, one runner on, two outs. Line shot to Korbin Korzan — my heart stopped as I watched him dive, but within seconds the game was over with an outstanding catch,” he added. “My coach preceded to pick me up and carry me around. Winning state was one of the happiest times of my life.”

While he’s bounced around through other sports (“I can’t say I have stuck with any others and none interest me at the moment, but me and Brian Norris get down when it comes to pickle-ball”) it’s life on the diamond that he has always held dear.

And like a lot of kids, his love of the game came from shared times with his dad.

“I’ve played baseball since the day I was old enough to join a league. I started right up at tee ball and haven’t stopped since,” Smith said. “Baseball was a necessity when it came to my dad’s opinion and after I started, it was hard to disagree.

“If it weren’t for my dad, it’s safe to say I might have never tried out baseball,” he added. “He was the one who pushed me to play and I’m thankful for every baseball game I have gotten to play.”

While his dad got him hooked, Kurtis is also quick to acknowledge the contributions his mom and grandmother Laurie Smith made to help his baseball career, particularly at the early stages. Financial support, buying him gear and getting him to games before he could drive himself were invaluable.

Over the years he’s played just about every position (catcher and first base being the only exceptions) with Wolf coach Willie Smith moving him into the outfield, while also calling on him for occasional pitching duties.

Wherever he plays, Smith deeply enjoys his time on the playing field.

“Baseball has really morphed into a key aspect of my life; playing baseball is near first on my priority list,” Smith said. “I really like everything about the game; it challenges you mentally, having to know the situation of the game before the next pitch is thrown. It’s also physically challenging and requires great effort, while at the same time it takes great skill to play the sport.

“I will admit I like the fact that even if you screw up 7/10 times you are still an amazing player,” he added. “Last of all I like the bonding I have with my team. I’ve been playing baseball with most of the guys on my team since I started playing baseball.”

A dangerous hitter, he’s honed his skills by attending camps and working on his plate skills during open gyms. With the move to the outfield, he’s also putting in time working on his throwing.

“I have developed good form and have wrapped my head around the thought process a hitter needs to acquire,” Smith said. “What I am really working on right now is arm strength. It isn’t an easy strength to build, but like anything, with time and effort I should improve it.”

Away from the field, he is a man of many facets, a huge fan of “Pulp Fiction,” a founding member of “The Shower Boys” (“I always look forward to shower time with my boys, baseball team as well as soccer team!”) who finds enjoyment in both weight training and calculus.

“I love to keep in shape and stay fit,” Smith said. “On the other hand I love how easy math comes to me and just the accomplishment of solving a long, complex calculus problem.”

He’s also a self-described techie and built his computer by hand after getting the parts online. He spends most of his money upgrading it, and continues to tinker.

Through it all, he operates to a wide-ranging soundtrack.

“I like a wide variety of of music including rap, rock, alternative, pop, some blues and many other genres,” Smith said. “What you won’t hear me listening to by my own free will is country and screamo.”

Read Full Post »