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Archive for the ‘Softball’ Category

Chloe Marzocca fires a fastball. (Jackie Saia photo)

Chloe Marzocca is a fast adapter.

While playing multiple sports, the incoming Coupeville High School freshman has shown an ability to adjust to whatever her coaches require, a trait which should pay off as she moves to another level.

“I think my strengths as an athlete are being able to play multiple positions, and play well, and absorbing information that the coaches teach me relatively fast,” Marzocca said.

“I’ve played multiple positions over a span of multiple years,” she added. “I think that makes it a lot easier to play with a bunch of new people in both sports.”

After a busy middle school career in which she played little league softball, while also suiting up for volleyball and track and field at CMS, Marzocca is focusing on the first two sports heading forward.

Fresh off a stellar season with the Central Whidbey Little League juniors softball squad, she’s now playing for a summer team led by the high school coaching staff.

Swinging a hot bat, and helping to anchor the defense with a steady supply of web gems, Marzocca is already making her mark.

Exactly as she hoped to.

“I would have to say softball is my favorite sport,” Marzocca said. “There’s no specific reason as to why it’s my favorite, but being able to get out on the field and have fun with little to no care in the world kind of fuels my love for the game.”

The joy of competing is what draws her to all of her sports.

“What I enjoy about being an athlete is getting out and seeing how other people play,” Marzocca said. “And improving myself, mentally and physically.”

Geared up to rumble on the softball field with teammate Allison Nastali. (Jennifer Marzocca photo)

When she’s not busy practicing or playing, the Wolf frosh can often be found putting the skills learned in the classroom to use.

“My favorite class has always been English,” Marzocca said. “I enjoy writing and reading, to the point where, if I’m bored, I can find myself writing a short story, or maybe reading another book, and forgetting about it for probably a week.”

She hails Stephen King’s sublime Stand by Me as a favorite movie, as it “reminds me of my friend group, and it’s just an entertaining movie to watch.”

Marzocca would like to “letter at least two to three times in both (my) sports,” and to “just improve as a player and teammate overall.”

As she’s progressed through school, sports, and life itself, having the support of family and friends, especially the tight-knit group of girls she shares the field and courts with, has been invaluable.

“I think the people who mostly impacted me to be who I am today are my parents and my close friends,” Marzocca said. “I’ve learned a lot from all of them, and they’ve done a lot for me in and out of sports.”

Marzocca, ready to mash. (Jackie Saia photo)

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Sofia and Mike Peters have formed a strong daughter/father coaching duo this season. (Photo courtesy Paula Peters)

Like father, like daughter.

As the Central Whidbey Little League minors softball squad has progressed this season — it started with only four girls with prior experience, yet has earned a trip to state — a unique coaching experience has played out.

The team’s coaching staff includes a father/daughter combo, with Mike and Sofia Peters working together to help shape the future of Coupeville’s diamond dandies.

The duo have worked together before, but in coach-player mode, with Mike helping shepherd Sofia and her teammates from rookie ball through juniors.

Now that his daughter is a high school player — she was a sophomore on this year’s CHS squad, which went a pristine 12-0 in Northwest 2B/1B League play — the relationship is different, yet still just as close.

“We still talk the game all the time,” Mike Peters said. “When coaching Sofia, it was more sharing the knowledge and guiding her to help herself and the team.

“Coaching with Sofia is more of a collaboration,” he added. “I enjoy listening to some of my phrases I used when I coached her, that she now tells her players.”

Coming off her first season on the high school diamond — the pandemic cancelled her freshman campaign — Sofia Peters has adapted quickly to the other side of the coach/player relationship.

It’s a natural progression for her as she follows in her father’s footsteps, and one she would like to continue.

“I love softball and I really want to go to college to be an elementary school teacher,” she said. “So I thought coaching young softball players would be a really good way for me to be involved with both.

“I’m definitely going to coach again, whether it’s after, or during my own playing career,” Sofia added. “This was so fun and I really loved being out there coaching, and helping the girls learn and succeed.”

As the CHS junior-to-be has adapted to the role, it’s made for a lot of proud papa moments.

“Watching Sofia teach other players,” has been the best part for Mike Peters as the season has progressed.

“She actually takes the time with each player, no matter their playing level,” he added.

Seeing younger players make the same progress which she has shown on the diamond is huge, Sofia Peters said.

“The best part of coaching for me has been two things. One being seeing how the girls have developed and changed from our very first practice till now.

“And two is when a player gets excited because they finally did the thing they have been working on doing,” she added. “That can be anywhere from pitching a perfect strike to remembering to creep in the infield.”

As her first season as a coach nears its end, Sofia Peters is aglow with her player’s successes, and wants her young charges to depart with more softball knowledge than they had when they arrived at the first practice.

“Honestly, I hope they learn literally anything from me,” she said. “It could be something to do with actually playing or just about life in general.

“But, if I had to be specific it would be that practicing how you play really matters.”

Coaching has given Sofia Peters a different view of the game, allowing her to better appreciate what her dad and other coaches have tried to teach her.

“There are a few differences in coaching with my dad than playing for him, but the main one that comes to mind is when I was playing for him he always told me what to do,” she said. “And told me how I should play.

“But coaching with him, that’s what he wants me to do for the girls. He wants me to be a role model and he wants me to teach them what he taught me.”

The CWLL minors squad has benefited from a deep coaching bench this season, led by Aaron Lucero and Lark Gustafson.

Sofia Peters, Ana Valencia, and Scott Maynes have also helped, with Mike Peters stepping in to help as the team heads to state.

Lucero has a prior commitment which will prevent him from accompanying his team to Auburn for the big dance, but he’s left the team in capable hands.

For Mike Peters, the goal is to continue building on what has already been accomplished.

“With a young team, to move forward in team sports it is a combination of coaching and girls who want to learn,” he said. “Aaron creates a program that is easy to follow and learn from.

“It is a consistent program. His motto is “the little things,” Mike Peters added. “The girls for the most are growing from that.

“(We just want to) play our game. Minimize little league mistakes as we call it. Make the other team beat you. Just don’t make it easy for the other team.

“Biggest message I can give the team — enjoy the moment.”

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“We’re going to state!”

Buy a water, help local softball players.

The Central Whidbey Little League minors diamond dandies are off to the state tourney, but need help raising funds for the trip.

Players will be selling water at Oak Harbor’s 4th of July Parade, which starts Sunday at 11 AM along Bayshore Drive.

Donations will also be accepted, and all money goes towards the player’s food and hotel stay in Auburn.

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Loto Tupu is a key part of a hot-hitting Whidbey Island All-Stars juniors softball team. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

A car wash this Saturday, July 3, will help fund big softball dreams.

The Whidbey Island All-Stars juniors diamond squad, which features a mix of Coupeville and Oak Harbor players, are the District 11 champs and state-bound.

But the big dance is way down at the bottom of the state in Vancouver, so the Inferno are scrambling to raise money for the trip.

The car wash will be at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7392 in Oak Harbor (3037 Goldie Road) and runs from 10-2.

Or, if you can’t make it there in person, you can help the Inferno players online by popping over to:

Fundraiser by Christi Messner : Whidbey Island LL Juniors go to State (gofundme.com)

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The bright future of Coupeville softball. (Photos courtesy Jess Lucero)

Celebrating a season of success. And it’s not done yet.

Coupeville is coming for all your softball trophies.

Two squads will compete for state titles in the coming weeks, with the Central Whidbey Little League minors team joining the Whidbey Island All-Stars juniors in advancing to the big dance.

The minors squad, which features 10 Coupeville girls on a 14-woman roster, features players who range in age from 8-12.

The core of the team is from the original CWLL team, which boasted 16 active players, and two who attended practices. Of those, only four girls had played before this season.

With the postseason upon them, 10 Coupeville players are in playoff mode, having been joined by three others from Oak Harbor, and one from Anacortes.

Both the original team — which was coached by Aaron Lucero and Lark Gustafson, with assistance from Scott Maynes, Ana Valencia, and Sofia Peters — and the playoff squad have made huge strides.

“The girls really worked hard, were committed and had a winning season, and showed amazing growth,” Aaron Lucero said. “I couldn’t be more proud of how far they came in such a short time.”

The minors team had a chance during the season to work with older players such as CHS stars Allie and Maya Lucero, and juniors supernova Teagan Calkins, while high school coaches Kevin McGranahan and Ron Wright attended games.

“We love that community is supporting our young ones and they’re already getting to know the high school coaching staff,” said team mom Jess Lucero.

The minors squad opens the state tourney in Auburn with a tough draw, facing a District 1 team which is pulled from 13 leagues including Everett and Marysville, but Central Whidbey doesn’t back down.

“I’m confident with our ability to compete,” Aaron Lucero said. “I’m happy for the girls to have this opportunity.”

 

The team:

Capri Anter
Haylee Armstrong
Ava Arnold
Ava Carpenter
Emma Cushman
Ava Lucero
Adeline Maynes
Ali Powers
Bella Salter
Chelsi Stevens
Cammi Van Dyke
Sydney Van Dyke
Gracie Wallin

Sutton Zimmerman

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