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“Heck of a game!”

Posted in Little League, Softball, tagged Ava Lucero, Central Whidbey Little League, Gig Harbor, Kennedy Strevel, Softball, state tourney on July 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Ava and Aaron Lucero, chasin’ that softball dream. (Jess Lucero photo)

No fear, plenty of fight.

Facing a traditional powerhouse at the state tourney Thursday, without their normal starting pitcher in the lineup, the Central Whidbey Little League Majors softball squad pushed Gig Harbor to the final batter.

While the Wolves were edged 7-6 in a loser-out game in Vancouver, losing by one run to a team coming off of 25-1 and 22-3 wins is nothing to be ashamed about.

“I told the team to hold their heads high,” said Wolf coach Aaron Lucero. “How proud I am of them, and they should be proud of themselves.

“Heck of a game.”

Central Whidbey, which went undefeated during the regular season and won the District 11 title, finishes 15-2.

The Wolves opened state with a 12-2 win over Asotin County and hung around to play three games over a six-day span.

They were the fifth squad eliminated from the 10-team tourney, with Gig Harbor moving on to play another loser-out tilt Friday against either Sammamish or Mill Creek.

The tourney wraps Sunday.

Squaring off with Gig Harbor, the Wolves handed the ball to hurler Kennedy Strevel, and she knocked it out of the park on both offense and defense.

“Kennedy pitched a great game in very hot weather,” Aaron Lucero said.

“And to add to it, she hit a home run for which she was awarded a pin from the tournament staff.”

Strevel’s blow was the big one, but Central Whidbey got contributions up and down the lineup.

Brent Stevens works with a Whidbey slugger. (Kristi Stevens photo)

“We had great hits from several players, including crucial moments from Selah Rivera and others,” Aaron Lucero said. “We executed small ball to put pressure on the defense.

“We had our opportunities, but Gig Harbor made some plays,” he added. “We did the same against them when they had their opportunities.”

Central Whidbey’s rivals got on the board first, pushing across a run in the top of the first and two more in the second to build an early 3-0 advantage.

The Wolves never blinked, however, putting together three-run rallies in both the second and third to reclaim the lead at 6-3.

Strevel and Co. retired eight of 10 Gig Harbor hitters during a stretch which ran from the end of the second to the start of the fifth, before the bats got warm again.

A run in the fifth trimmed Central Whidbey’s margin to 6-4, then Gig Harbor rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth to move back in front.

The Wolves weren’t able to get a tying run in the bottom of the final frame, ending their run.

But, as they packed up and prepared to head back to The Rock, Central Whidbey’s coaching staff were quick to applaud their players.

Wolf players get a final pep talk from their coaches. (Kristi Stevens photo)

While most of the other teams at state are true all-star squads, having drawn players from multiple teams or leagues, the Wolves were almost completely a group of players from one small town.

Coupeville’s 12 sluggers did get a little postseason help, picking up a single player each from Oak Harbor and South Whidbey, but its roster construction is nothing like the teams repping areas like Seattle or Puyallup.

“All around it was a solid softball game and our ladies and their families should have pride in how we represented Whidbey Island,” Aaron Lucero said.

“Every single player on our roster contributed to the game. Proud of them.”

Central Whidbey’s postseason roster:

Samantha Antonio
KeeAyra Brown
Emma Cushman
Ava Lucero
Olivia Martin
Adeline Maynes
Allie Powers
Cassandra Powers
Selah Rivera
Chelsi Stevens
Kennedy Strevel
Cameron Van Dyke
Sydney Van Dyke
Mary Western

Central Whidbey was one of the final six teams standing at the state tourney. (Kristi Stevens photo)

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“My goal is to work harder every day”

Posted in Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, tagged Basketball, CHS Wolves, freshman, Haylee Armstrong, Softball, The Conjuring, volleyball on July 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Haylee Armstrong hangs out with dad after a summer softball tourney win. (Michelle Armstrong photo)

“It’s nice to have a scare every now and then.”

That’s why, away from the world of sports, where she plays volleyball, basketball, and softball — both school and travel ball versions — Haylee Armstrong enjoys horror flicks like The Conjuring.

But it also carries over to the diamond and court, where the incoming Coupeville freshman often delivers performances which freak out rival players and coaches.

Case in point was this past spring, when Armstrong spent most of the season as a starter for the CHS varsity softball team — while still attending classes in middle school.

She hit .467 at the plate as an 8th grader, showed off a strong glove (and arm) as an outfielder and pitcher, and slammed an out-of-the-park home run to dead center.

Fresh off winning Rookie of the Year honors from Wolf coaches, Armstrong is spending a chunk of her summer traveling with the Whidbey Island Thunder select softball squad, while also prepping for high school volleyball and basketball.

She enjoys all of her sports, but has a special connection to diamond life.

“Softball is my favorite because you get to throw the ball as hard as you want and take your anger out during batting,” Armstrong said.

“I’ve been told I’m like a Swiss Army knife; I can play any position where I’m needed.”

While she’s likely to pile up strong individual stats, Armstrong is a team player through and through, looking to elevate her teammates and reveling in their accomplishments as much as her own.

“I love the joy when everybody screams at that last game winning point or run during games,” she said.

Dancing into a bright athletic future. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

A strong math student who likes that class because “once I learn a lesson, it snaps instantly,” Armstrong also enjoys the music of Olivia Rodrigo, “because her voice is really beautiful.”

As she enters high school, the hard-working teen has her eyes set on leaving her mark.

“My goal is to make varsity, be a leader to younger athletes, and work harder every day to be a better person than I was the day before,” Armstrong said.

She wants to work on her “hitting form and shooting form” going forward, while listing her athletic strengths as “leadership, listening, and following the instructions given to me by my coaches.”

Her parents, Joe and Michelle, are her role model, her primary support crew, and her chauffeurs, and she deeply appreciates them.

“They have made an impact on showing me I can do anything I set my mind on,” Armstrong said.

Playing sports year-round, she’s had plenty of mentors, all with something to teach her.

“My coaches have always encouraged and pushed me to do my best,” Armstrong said.

“Coach Aaron (Lucero), Coach Kevin (McGranahan), Coach Lark (Gustafson), Coach Cris (Matochi), Coach Kassie (O’Neil), and Coach K (Katrina McGranahan) have made a huge impact on how I play and where I learned to play.”

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Hard worker, rising star

Posted in Basketball, Softball, Volleyball, tagged Basketball, Capri Anter, CHS Wolves, freshman, Smile, Softball, volleyball on July 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Capri Anter watches diamond action unfold. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Sports is the great uniter for Capri Anter.

The three-sport athlete, who plays volleyball, basketball, and softball, uses athletics to build strong relationships with her teammates.

“I enjoy getting to play with others, and, when I don’t know them, I get to know them more during the sport,” Anter said.

Part of a rock-solid group of incoming freshmen Wolf student/athletes, she’s already worn a high school uniform, playing with Coupeville’s varsity softball squad as an 8th grader this past spring.

Anter saw time in the pitcher’s circle, flinging heat at rival hitters, while also racking up some offensive stats, including cracking a double in a home win over La Conner.

But while she can join teammate, and cousin, Haylee Armstrong, as five-year softball players if everything works out, it’s an indoor sport which is her current top pick.

“My favorite sport is volleyball,” Anter said. “Because I love that my teammates are very supportive even when you or someone messes up on accident.

“I also love that my teammates always tell me what I need to fix, and how to fix it when the coaches are busy helping others.”

Away from the diamond or court, Anter can be found hanging out with family and friends, watching “mainly scary movies like Smile and It,” and enjoying music from a wide range of genres.

“Pop, rock, some country, rap, and some more,” she said.

Math class is her favorite so far, while Anter likes to draw pictures for those close to her while “on the phone with one of my friends or just listening to music.”

Anter and cousin Haylee Armstrong form a dynamic duo. (Jackie Saia photo)

With three sports on the menu, she’s got a lot going on, but is merely doing what she loves.

While still a fairly young athlete, Anter takes a clear-eyed view of what she brings to her teams, and where she’d like to continue to grow.

“I think my strengths as an athlete are that since I stay pretty active in them and I enjoy them a lot, I try really hard to do the best I can to get better at them, especially volleyball and softball,” she said.

“The areas I’d like to work on are communicating more and getting to the ball,” Anter added.

Her support staff is large, and she happily leans on them for encouragement and positive reinforcement.

“There are some people who have made an impact on me and helped make me the person I am,” Anter said.

“Those people are Katie (Marti), Mia (Farris), Jada (Heaton), Grey (Peabody), Teagan (Calkins), Haylee (Armstrong), and Taylor (Brotemarkle).

“Also, all my coaches, family that have played these sports, friends, and friends’ family that have played these sports.”

With her high school days ahead of her, Anter is approaching her new adventure with an open heart.

“My goals are to have positive self-talk, communication, and listen to whomever is trying to help me better myself.”

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Tough loss, resilient spirit

Posted in Little League, Softball, tagged Ava Lucero, Central Whidbey Little League, Softball, South Hill, state tourney on July 6, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Central Whidbey Little League softball sluggers are still chasing state tourney success. (Kristi Stevens photo)

Their record got dinged, but not their spirit.

Missing a key player and down another one due to an in-game injury, the Central Whidbey Island Little League Majors softball team absorbed its first loss Wednesday night.

Playing against tourney favorite South Hill, which includes players from Auburn, Puyallup, and Kent, the Wolves fell 17-0 at the state championships in Vancouver.

There’s still a viable path to the title game for Central Whidbey, however, which returns to action Thursday, playing Gig Harbor in a loser-out game.

The Wolves, 15-1 on the season and 1-1 in the state tourney, have to win daily from here on out to get to Sunday’s best 2-of-3 title bout.

If they do, South Hill, which has outscored three foes by a combined 44-1 during the tournament, will likely be waiting for them.

Central Whidbey, which thumped Asotin County 12-2 to open state, has proven to be resilient all season, something Wolf coach Aaron Lucero is relying on.

“We win or we learn, and tonight we learned,” he said.

“Hats off to South Hill. They are a very talented team in all phases of the game.”

While Central Whidbey failed to generate any offense against its big-city foes, who field an all-star team with players drawn from multiple teams, Lucero preaches patience and the joys to be found in a bounce-back performance.

“I told the team to hold their heads up and get their minds right,” he said. “We still have an opportunity to advance and win some ball games.”

The diamond guru praised the performance of relief ace Sydney Van Dyke, who took over pitching duties after starter Kennedy Strevel took “a hot liner to her pitching hand” early in the game.

“Sydney came in and did an admirable job pitching coming in cold,” Lucero said.

“We’ll move past this one and get ready for tomorrow!”

One team, one dream for the Wolves, one of the few state tourney squads to not draw players from multiple regular season teams. (Jess Lucero photo)

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Big stage, big victory

Posted in Little League, Softball, tagged Adeline Maynes, Asotin County, Ava Lucero, Central Whidbey Little League, Softball, state tournament on July 2, 2023| Leave a Comment »

Undefeated and flexing. (Kristi Stevens photos)

They embrace the spotlight.

With 10 of 12 players reaching base Saturday, and eight of them scoring, the Central Whidbey Little League Majors softball team opened the state tourney with a bang.

Playing in Vancouver, the Wolves demolished Asotin County 12-2 in a game mercy-ruled after four innings.

The victory lifts Central Whidbey to a crisp 15-0 on the season.

Now, the Wolves have several days off as they wait for the loser’s bracket to play out at the 10-team, double-elimination tourney.

Central Whidbey returns to the field Wednesday, July 5, when it plays the winner of South Hill and Evergreen.

South Hill hails from District 10, which pulls players from Auburn, Puyallup, and Kent, while Evergreen reps District 4, which covers Clark, Skamania, and Klickitat counties.

The championships run through July 9.

The Wolves huddle around coach Aaron Lucero, the Man in Black.

Saturday’s opening win was fueled by consistent work from the top of the lineup to the bottom.

The Wolves rapped out seven hits, with Chelsi Stevens blasting a double and Sydney Van Dyke whacking a pair of singles, while the team also collected eight walks.

Stevens also launched another successful long shot, coming all the way around to score off her base-knock.

The score book gives Asotin County two errors on the play, however, keeping it from being an “official” home run.

We know the truth, though.

Chelsi Stevens (with ball) carries a big bat, inflicting damage with each swing.

Central Whidbey jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one inning of play, then stretched the lead out to 11-1 through two frames.

“Solid play all around,” said Wolf coach Aaron Lucero. “Good hitting and base-running offensively.

“We put pressure on the defense every chance we had, and our ladies were relentless,” he added. “Good overall team hitting and win.”

Adeline Maynes prowled the pitcher’s circle for Central Whidbey, whiffing eight while scattering just three hits.

Toss in solid defense and a team-wide commitment to hustle plays and execution, and it’s simple to see why the Wolves continue to roll through an undefeated campaign.

“We’ve continued to preach “do the little things” and they’re executing,” Lucero said.

Saturday stats:

Samantha Antonio — One single
KeeAyra Brown — One walk
Adeline Maynes — Two walks
Allie Powers — One single, one walk
Cassandra Powers — One single
Selah Rivera — One walk
Chelsi Stevens — One double
Kennedy Strevel — One single, one walk
Cameron Van Dyke — Two walks
Sydney Van Dyke — Two singles