After missing a chunk of her junior season, Bessie Walstad is back on the field and behind the plate in 2013. (Shelli Trumbull photos)
McKayla Bailey, a hitter’s worst nightmare.
Offense sells tickets. Defense wins games.
Facing a league that will be “tough from top to bottom,” the Coupeville High School softball team will need both to be competitive.
So that’s where new co-coaches David and Amy King (and volunteer assistants Shawn Walstad and Erik King) are focusing much of their efforts during the first days of practice. Run prevention tops their To-Do list.
“Defense comes first with us,” said David King. “We want to improve our in-game execution.
“At times last year we would make a play, get an out, but instead of cutting down a runner at 3rd we would settle for the out at 1st. Or we would try and get a lead runner instead of making the sure out at 1st,” he added. “We are looking to compete in each and every game and continue to get better as the season progresses.”
Having taken the reins full-time with the departure of Jackie Calkins, the Kings have a 14-woman roster led by a pair of seniors, Bessie Walstad and Maria Rockwell.
Walstad, who lost part of her season a year ago to a busted hand, is the steady center of the team and will split time between catcher and first base.
Rockwell is the wild card, a flame-throwing pitcher and talented shortstop who played for the Wolves as a freshman, moved to Florida with her family, then returned to the Island.
Getting her back enables Coupeville to more readily replace the graduated Alexis Trumbull and provides the Wolves with a wham-bam pitching duo of super sophomore McKayla Bailey and Rockwell.
“Maria is a big addition to this team,” David King said. “Once again we have two strong pitchers and will look for them to get ahead of hitters and pitch to their strengths.”
Backing the duo up will be a variety of players, led by sophomore big bopper Hailey Hammer (1B, 3B) and a strong group of juniors in Madeline Roberts (2B, 3B, OF), Breeanna Messner (C, INF), Haley Sherman (3B, OF), Sydney Aparicio (2B, OF) and Chevy Reyes (INF).
Sophomore outfielder Madeline Strasburg is a rising star who has tried her hand at catching, while junior Julia Felici, sophomore Monica Vidoni, freshman Emily Coulter and foreign exchange student Elena Jimenez Guerra are also vying for playing time.
“We have a strong lineup from one through nine,” David King said. “Offensively, we have power potential led by Hailey, Bessie and Maria and we have others that have power, can drive the ball, like Madeline and McKayla.
“And when they get on base, they (Madeline and McKayla) are two of our best and smartest base runners,” he added. “They will put pressure on the other team.”
But again, it all starts with defense.
“Defensively we have all of the pieces to be very good as a team,” David King said. “Our outfield will have speed and strong arms. The infield is very solid and we are versatile. Many players can play two or three positions without compromising our defense.”
Competing as the smallest 1A school in the 2A/1A Cascade Conference is always tough, and this year won’t be any different.
“Cedarcrest, Lakewood and Granite Falls should be at the top. Sultan has their top pitcher returning and, even though they struggled last year, they will be improved,” David King said. “ATM and South Whidbey will both have strong teams. Overall this league will be tough from top to bottom.”
Which doesn’t mean the Kings don’t expect to be competitive. Far from it.
“Our goal is to know we can be a good team and advance deep into the playoffs. Of course our ultimate goal is to get to state,” David King said. “This team has the ability to be very competitive each and every game.
“We still need to put the time and effort in every day,” he added. “The players understand this is a team sport and for us to get better and win, they are willing to sacrifice and put the team first. We are looking forward to the season and seeing what the girls can accomplish.”
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