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Archive for the ‘Softball’ Category

Reunited, and it feels so good!!

Posted in Softball, tagged , , , , on January 5, 2016| Leave a Comment »

Kevin McGranahan, seen here coaching daughter Katrina in little league play, was tabbed as the new CHS head softball coach. (John Fisken photo)

   Kevin McGranahan, seen here coaching daughter Katrina in little league play, was tabbed as the new CHS head softball coach. (John Fisken photo)

They’re getting the old gang back together.

Highly successful juniors softball coach Kevin McGranahan is being reunited with his former Central Whidbey Little League players, after being tabbed as the new head coach for Coupeville High School.

The move was confirmed Tuesday by CHS Athletic Director Duane Baumann.

McGranahan replaces Deanna Rafferty, who resigned after one year at the helm of the Wolf program.

Rafferty went 7-12 and took her squad to the district playoffs last season.

She replaced David and Amy King, who stepped down in 2014, after taking Coupeville to its first trip to state in 12 years.

The duo have remained as CHS girls’ basketball coaches, but needed more time to focus on their real-life jobs.

McGranahan will inherit a squad which contains almost all of his players from his 2014 Venom squad, which went undefeated, ten-running every regular season foe en route to advancing to state.

That includes current sophomores like Katrina McGranahan, Hope Lodell and Lauren Rose, who all starred for the Wolves as freshmen, as well as big-hitting ninth graders Sarah Wright and Veronica Crownover.

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Little league? Closer than you think!!

Posted in Baseball, Little League, Softball, tagged , , , , on January 5, 2016| Leave a Comment »

softball

   A montage featuring Central Whidbey softball players who have gone to state the last two seasons. (Mimi Johnson and Katy Wells photos)

Coach Chris Tumblin (left) charges in to join the dog pile after Central Whidbey won the state title in 2010.

That moment when lil’ ol Coupeville beat the big city boys to win a state title.

What do you mean it doesn’t feel like baseball season?

Ignore the snow-infused rain and get crackin’, as it’s closer than you might think.

Central Whidbey Little League has kicked off registration for 2016 softball and baseball play (they have teams open to players from ages 4-14) and it runs through Feb. 29.

Practices starts in March (yes, it will still likely be cold, thank you, and get used to it), with games beginning in April.

To register or pick up more info (the league is also looking for sponsors and volunteers), pop over to the league’s sparkling new website at:

http://www.centralwhidbeylittleleague.com/

While there you can marinate in pics of past success stories such as the 2010 state champion Juniors baseball squad and the 2014 Venom, a Juniors softball squad which clobbered foes left and right on their way to state.

Then, after your kids sign up, they can go write their own success story for future generations to marvel at.

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Raise your glass for Denny!!

Posted in A freakin' American hero, Softball, tagged , , , , on November 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »

The 1995 Skagit Valley College softball squad, which included coach Denny Zylstra

   The 1995 Skagit Valley College softball squad, with coach Denny Zylstra (red hat) and former Wolves Natalie (Slater) Maneval (middle, front) and Mimi (Iverson) Johnson (right below the #5). (Photo courtesy Maneval)

Denny Zylstra put in half a century on the softball field as a player and coach.

Now, his former players and fans are invited to join him for a celebration of his career and life this Sunday.

Careage of Whidbey, hearing that we here at Coupeville Sports had inducted Zylstra into our digital Hall o’ Fame last Sunday (https://coupevillesports.com/2015/11/08/big-games-big-careers-big-stars/), are hosting a social for him to mark the occasion.

Where: Careage of Whidbey in Coupeville (311 3rd Street)

It will be held in the main dining hall to the right after you come through the lobby.

When: Sunday, Nov. 15 @ 2:45 PM

An outstanding athlete (for decades), a CHS grad, a legendary coach at multiple levels and one of the nicest men to ever stride the diamond, Denny Zylstra more than deserves whatever honors we can bestow upon him.

If you can be there, be there. If not, send your positive brain waves his way.

Let’s make sure he knows how much he means to his town.

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One and done!!

Posted in Softball, tagged , , , , on November 12, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Deanna Rafferty went 7-12 in her one season at the helm of the Wolf softball program. (John Fisken photo)

   Deanna Rafferty went 7-12 in her one season at the helm of the Wolf softball program. (John Fisken photo)

Tiffany Briscoe will have her third softball coach this spring.

The Coupeville High School junior and her 11th grade classmates went to the state tourney as freshmen under the guidance of David and Amy King.

When the duo reduced their coaching duties to spend more time at their real-world jobs, former Oak Harbor High School player Deanna Rafferty stepped in and led the Wolves in 2015.

Under Rafferty, Coupeville made a successful jump to the 1A Olympic League, going 5-4 in conference play (7-12 overall) in their first go-round in the new league.

Now, Rafferty has departed, leaving her position as CHS softball coach after one season for reasons very similar to those which claimed the Kings.

“She has resigned due to unavailability with a new job,” said Coupeville Athletic Director Duane Baumann.

Wolf players were informed of the change last week, and were told the school hopes to have a new coach in place by the start of the year.

“Sad to see her go, we got along great,” said Wolf second baseman Jae LeVine.

The loss of Rafferty leaves Coupeville down two coaches, as the Wolves also need to replace long-time baseball coach Willie Smith, who stepped down back in the spring.

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College ball reunites softball sluggers!!

Posted in Softball, Wolves in college, tagged , , , , , on September 27, 2015| Leave a Comment »

Hailey

   Former CHS softball teammates Hailey Hammer (left) and Madeline Roberts reunite at a college softball tourney Saturday. (Photo courtesy Lisa Edlin)

Saturday was all about reunions.

While three former Coupeville High School football teammates faced each other on the college gridiron, two former Wolf softball pals also met back up.

Madeline Roberts, now a sophomore at Shoreline Community College, and Hailey Hammer, a freshman at Everett Community College, both played in a college tourney held in Oregon.

The NWAC Sophomore Showcase/Fall Classic went down at the Delta Park Sports Complex in Portland.

It was the first chance for the hard-hitting Hammer to play college ball.

“We did good with only four practices as a team,” she said. “I played first and third, had a couple great plays at both spots.

“I hit alright, it was only the first tournament so it will get better,” Hammer added. “I’m loving playing college ball with my new family.”

Roberts spent most of the day getting on base, walking four times and ripping an RBI single as her team won two of three.

“Our team is pretty strong this year,” she said. “So it should be a rockin’ season!”

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