Wolf softball players (l to r) Kailey Kellner, Emily Coulter, Erin Josue and Robin Cedillo stay upbeat in the dugout on a rainy Tuesday. (Amy King photo)
In the words of noted philosopher Charles Barkley it was “Turrible … just turrible.”
Making their final road trip to the campus of Archbishop Thomas Murphy — probably for the last time ever (sweet words) — the Coupeville High School softball and boys’ soccer squads had a less-than-enjoyable Tuesday.
The booters, after a strong first half, were stung by a flurry of goals after halftime and fell 7-0 to the Cascade Conference leaders. It was the first time the Wolves (3-3 overall, 2-3 in league play) had been shutout this season.
Over on the softball diamond, Coupeville played two games in a driving rain, as the schools got in a doubleheader to make up for an earlier rain-out.
Scratching out just three hits in the downpour, the Wolves were blistered 10-0 and 11-0 in games shortened to five innings by the ten-run mercy rule.
Now 2-5 on the season, the CHS softballers reached the halfway point of a six-game road trip.
They travel to Meridian Thursday for a non-conference game, then play another rain-mandated doubleheader, this one in Sultan, Monday, April 14, before finally seeing their home field again April 16.
On the soccer pitch, the Wolves went into the half trailing just 1-0, but the unbeaten Wildcats (6-0-1) scored early and often in the second half, breaking the game open.
Parker Buchanan and Gabe Astone led ATM with two goals apiece, while Jeff Scavotto and Trevor Johnston combined for the shutout.
Facing a tough mound menace in ATM’s Baylee Robertson, the Wolf softball squad pounced early in game one, with a perfectly-placed infield single from Madeline Roberts and a bunt single from Breeanna Messner.
Trying to put immediate pressure on the Wildcats, CHS coach David King had Messner try and steal second on the first pitch to #3 hitter McKayla Bailey, but if backfired when ATM’s catcher nailed her on a laser throw.
That was the last offensive display Coupeville would have in game one, but Bailey kept things close through three, tossing scoreless ball.
With the rain slashing down in the fourth inning, and the field getting progressively muddier, the Wildcats put together a five-run rally. Using four singles, a walk and an error, they were looking for more, but were denied by Haley Sherman.
With the bases juiced, the senior left fielder came up with an inning-ending double play, snagging a fly ball, then gunning down the runner trying to score from third.
ATM closed the game out with five more in the bottom of the fifth, though their coach tried to pad the book a bit.
At the moment the tenth run crossed the plate, the game was officially done, but the Wildcats wanted to claim an 11th runner coming in on the same play and did so when reporting scores to newspapers.
We, for one media outlet, refuse to accept ATM’s shenanigans. 10-0. Accept it.
Robertson was still spot-on in a rainy game two, giving up just a single to Wolf sophomore Emily Coulter in the third.
Madeline Strasburg “hit the ball as hard as a ball can be hit,” but she was robbed of a hit by a spectacular diving catch from ATM shortstop Gemma Miller.
“It was the best swing from Maddi all season and something she should be able to build on for the rest of the season,” King said.
Bailey shared mound time with freshman Emily Licence, who moved over from third to make her Wolf pitching debut in the third inning. Strasburg slapped on the catcher’s gear for the first time this season, as well, with Messner moving out to third.
“For Emily’s first time out there, in the conditions we played in, she did a very good job,” King said. “Amy and I were pleased with the effort.
“Maddi looked like a natural behind the plate.”
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