South Central Sox players discuss their goals for the afternoon during a pre-game meeting. (Kelly Crownover photo)
The best thieves are raised in Central Whidbey.
Base thieves, that is.
Spurred on by 14 pilfered bags from their four Coupeville mercenaries, the South Central Sox little league softball squad pulled out a barn-burner Wednesday, edging visiting South Skagit 10-9.
Down big early after a rough six-run second inning, the Sox rallied in the fifth inning to reclaim the lead for good.
The tying and eventual winning runs came via the fleet feet of Wolves Veronica Crownover and Ema Smith, who zipped across home mere footsteps away from each other.
Quick toes were the order of the day, as CMS students Sarah Wright (five steals), Tamika Nastali (4), Crownover (3) and Smith (2) spent most of the game baffling the Skagit catcher.
Wright dominated in the pitcher’s circle, whiffing four, and at the plate, where she whacked her customary three hits.
Nastali chipped in with a pair of singles and kicked off a dandy double play when she ran down a fly ball in center.
Having snagged the ball, she pivoted and gunned down a foolhardy runner headed home.
Swinging a hot bat herself, Crownover thumped a pair of base knocks and knocked in three runs, while Smith laced a single in the second inning.
Coupeville Sports 