Maya Nottingham picks up some hitting tips. (Photos by JohnsPhotos.net)
The bats were so hot they almost melted down.
Getting contributions from everyone in the lineup Saturday, the Coupeville High School JV softball team closed its season in style.
Playing at a tournament in Blaine, Katrina McGranahan’s squad tore the cover off the ball, smashing 23 hits en route to sending 28 batters home to score in a cut-down doubleheader.
With a win over Ferndale and a tie against the tourney hosts, Coupeville’s JV finishes 6-2-1.
The only thing slowing the Wolves down was having to play “JV rules,” with a five-run limit per inning, and a 90-minute cap on games, regardless of what the score might be.
“Today was a beautiful day for a game or two and the girls did a great job with coming ready to play,” McGranahan said. “Never know what you’re going to get with a long bus ride.
“Everyone hit the ball at some point and when I say hit I mean crushed the ball.”
The Wolf coach, who ripped many an extra-base hit in her own playing days, watched in satisfaction as her sluggers launched three home runs, smacked five triples, and bopped three doubles.
Melanie Navarro delivered four of those big base-knocks, including sending two of her team’s three home runs flying far, far away.
“Mel had a heck of a day,” McGranahan said. “We couldn’t slow her down!”
Melanie Navarro gets savage.
Allie Lucero joined Navarro in mashing a longball, while Mia Farris led the Wolves with seven hits across the two games.
While the extra-base hits grab the spotlight, Coupeville also proved to be masters of small ball.
“We discovered a new bunting machine,” McGranahan said. “Maya Nottingham did an amazing job, and once I saw she can bunt, let me tell you, I bunted her a lot.”
Farris prowled the pitcher’s circle in the opener against Ferndale, while siblings Allie and Maya Lucero were a nimble tag-team chucking the ball against Blaine.
“Mia did a great job in the circle today,” McGranahan said. “She really held her own and I enjoyed watching her work through the game and powering through.”
Mia Farris, a terror in the field and at the plate.
The doubleheader also saw Katie Marti slide behind the plate to catch for the first time this season.
While she doesn’t normally wear the mask and gear, the talented freshman had an immediate impact.
“All season I’ve had Katie play third base and hardly practiced her at catcher, but she did alright!” McGranahan said.
“Even got a girl out on a throw down to second!”
Also proving superb on defense was fellow fab frosh Jada Heaton, who was patrolling center field for the Wolves.
“Jada got an amazing catch!” McGranahan said. “We all thought she wasn’t going to get it, but she happened to lay her glove down on the ground at the last minute to scoop up a dying line drive!
“It was a great play and her facial expressions were awesome!”
While the JV has no more games, the players will stay in action to scrimmage with the varsity as it waits out an 18-day gap between the end of the regular season and the start of the playoffs.
Saturday stats:
Edie Bittner — 1 double, 2 walks
Teagan Calkins — 1 single, 3 walks
Mia Farris — 5 singles, 2 triples, 1 walk
Jada Heaton — 1 walk
Violette Huegerich — 3 walks
Allie Lucero — 1 home run, 1 walk
Maya Lucero — 1 single, 1 double, 1 triple
Katie Marti — 2 singles, 2 walks
Candace Meek — 1 single
Melanie Navarro — 1 double, 1 triple, 2 home runs
Maya Nottingham — 3 singles, 2 walks
Coupeville Sports 