Adeline Maynes | Coupeville Sports

Posts Tagged ‘Adeline Maynes’

Young guns havin’ some fun

Posted in Softball, tagged Adeline Maynes, CHS Wolves, mercy rule, Softball, Sultan, Teagan Calkins on April 8, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Cousins Capri Anter (left) and Haylee Armstrong enjoy another victory. (Michelle Armstrong photo)

Neither wind nor rain splatters nor dank and dark prairie days stay these sluggers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.

Delivering in a way the postal service only wishes it could, the Coupeville High School varsity softball squad returned from vacation with a vengeance Monday afternoon.

With three 8th graders and two freshmen accounting for half the lineup, the Wolves swept Sultan away, winning 10-0 in a game called after five innings.

The non-conference victory lifts CHS to 6-1, with all of its wins ended early thanks to the mercy rule.

Now, it’s on Darrington Tuesday for a key Northwest 2B/1B League matchup, before a home tilt with La Conner Thursday and a titanic road rumble with powerhouse Forks Saturday.

Monday’s matchup, coming on the heels of a week-long shutdown for Spring Break, opened on a note of danger.

Sultan’s leadoff hitter lofted a ball into the wind on a typically blustery prairie afternoon, and the ball veered away from the incoming right fielder, landing with a splash for a double.

But that would be the one, and only hit the Turks would get, as Wolf hurler Adeline Maynes and her defense promptly went into lock-down mode.

Taylor Brotemarkle, the mistress of the mitt, made a superb snatch on a liner at shortstop, to settle things down.

After that, Sydney Van Dyke gobbled up a grounder at second, before Maynes induced a comebacker to the pitcher’s circle to end the brief hint of suspense.

From that point on, Sultan only got one batter aboard across the final four innings, and then only thanks to a slightly wayward pitch which plunked the Turk catcher.

Maynes, a precocious 8th grader, whiffed eight batters while her infield defense, which included Madison McMillan at third and Haylee Armstrong at first, handled every ball that came their way flawlessly.

Taylor Brotemarkle congratulates whiz kid Adeline Maynes during an earlier, sunnier game. (Ryan Blouin photo)

Meanwhile, the Wolves pecked away at the Turk pitching staff, scoring in every inning.

The only run which Coupeville needed came around early, thanks to the nimble toes of Mia Farris.

She walked, pilfered second, then skedaddled home on an RBI base knock from Brotemarkle, who quickly scored herself thanks to a passed ball.

The Wolves broke the game open in the second, with walks to Van Dyke and Ava Lucero setting the table, and Capri Anter and Armstrong crunching RBI hits which skidded past the Turk defenders and made a run for freedom.

Up 5-0 after two innings, CHS pushed three more runs across in the third, with Anter delivering yet another crucial hit, before tacking on one in the fourth and ending things early in the fifth.

Wolf catcher Teagan Calkins walloped an RBI double for the game’s loudest hit, before Anter (who else?) closed the day with a run-scoring groundout.

Coupeville, which has outscored its foes 108-24 this season, finished with five well-placed hits and seven walks.

Anter led the way with two base knocks, while Armstrong, Brotemarkle, and Calkins also collected hits.

Jada Heaton and Van Dyke both walked twice, with Lucero, Calkins, and Farris each eking out a free pass.

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It’s our league, and don’t forget it!

Posted in Softball, tagged Adeline Maynes, CHS Wolves, Friday Harbor, Northwest League, Softball on March 19, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Adeline Maynes charges into battle. (Jackie Saia photo)

We’re back in charge.

Last season a pair of one-run losses to Friday Harbor denied the Coupeville High School varsity softball team a Northwest 2B/1B League title.

If the first meeting between the schools this spring is any indication, the Wolves are solidly back as the #1 team in the conference.

Paced by an electrifying debut pitching performance from 8th grader Adeline Maynes, and sizzling bats from everyone in the lineup, CHS demolished Friday Harbor 13-0 Tuesday afternoon.

With the action going down under, dare I say it, mid-summer Whidbey weather, the win lifts Coupeville to a pristine 2-0 on the season, 1-0 in conference action.

Now, the young Wolves, who had three 8th graders and two freshmen in the starting lineup for their home opener, are off on a road trip.

Treks to Blaine, Orcas Island, and Concrete will test Coupeville, with their return to the prairie set for Mar. 30, when they host a doubleheader with Onalaska.

But while there’s still a ton of games left to play, along with many twists and turns likely to come, right now, in this moment, this looks like a really good softball squad.

Maynes, following on the heels of fab frosh Haylee Armstrong, who slung fastballs in a season-opening rout of South Whidbey, looked like a veteran from the first pitch to the last.

Recalling former wise-beyond-their-years hurlers like Katrina McGranahan and Izzy Wells, “Adeline the Annihilator” was calm, composed, and artful with her pitches.

She struck out seven across her five innings of work — the game was mercy-ruled with CHS up by 10+ runs — while surrendering just a single hit.

Maynes also showed composure under duress, ending the second inning with a snappy defensive play.

A Friday Harbor slugger lashed a liner off of the Wolf pitcher’s body, but instead of falling to the ground and wailing, she alertly whirled, tracked down the ball, and pegged it to Armstrong at first.

It was the kind of play which would garner applause for a senior, which Coupeville has none of on this roster, but especially noteworthy for a young woman who isn’t actually even in high school yet.

Maynes got some help from her older teammates, with shortstop Taylor Brotemarkle and third baseman Madison McMillan makin’ with the highlight reel-worthy plays.

Brotemarkle snagged a one-hopper and launched a deadeye throw which broke the sound barrier, while McMillan, crashing hard on a bunt, ripped the ball off the dirt and launched a laser in one fluid move.

Both throws landed with happy little sighs in Armstrong’s waiting glove, as the incoming runners silently screamed in agony as their dreams died two steps short of paydirt.

Teagan Calkins makes the ball go far, far away. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

But while defense and pitching wins titles, chicks dig the long ball — especially if they’re the ones cranking the home runs.

Enter Teagan Calkins and Mia Farris, and exit the ball, though Coupeville’s low-rent fence denied the latter from “officially” recording a roundtripper.

There was no doubt with the former, as the Wolf catcher launched a three-run moon ball to left field, then outsprinted any potential throw as she careened around the basepaths.

For Farris, what should have been her own three-run tater became an RBI ground rule double when the ball, which had cleared the center fielder’s head by a sizable margin, squirted under the fence.

CHS softball sluggers have been (very patiently) waiting for a more-permanent enclosure to arrive.

With it in place, the mammoth blast would have hit the more-solid wall and skidded away while Farris twirled from bag to bag.

Instead, the ball skittered under the bottom of the current flimsy fence, giving Friday Harbor a temporary reprieve.

Not that it mattered, as “Mia the Magnificent” torched the Wolverines, collecting three of Coupeville’s 12 hits on the day and earning big praise from CHS coach Kevin McGranahan, who collected his 99th win at the school.

Farris and her comrades scored early and often, pushing three runs across in the first inning, then tacking on five more in both the second and third.

Armstrong eked out a walk to start things, followed by run-scoring hits from Farris, McMillan, and Calkins.

The only thing (briefly) saving Friday Harbor was a superb defensive play in which an infielder snagged a ball over her shoulder while flying backwards, denying Sydney Van Dyke a hit.

Coupeville kept the pressure on in the second inning, as Capri Anter crunched a double, then just kept running, forcing an error and a wild throw back in as she slid under the tag at third.

Nailing Friday Harbor with the ol’ cousin one-two punch, Armstrong laced an RBI single to left to plate her relative, and the rout was on.

Another base-knock from Farris and Calkins monster mash made it 8-0, before Coupeville got crafty in the third inning.

Right after Farris delivered her could-have-been, should-have-been home run, Brotemarkle chopped a little squibber into the infield dirt and all havoc broke loose.

Anter, coming down from third, got trapped in a pickle, but bobbed and weaved her way to success, causing the Friday Harbor catcher to panic and airmail a throw past third base.

Farris then promptly danced home on a wild pitch, before McMillan and Van Dyke closed out things with RBI singles.

That run-scoring hit gives Van Dyke five RBI across her first two high school varsity games.

Sydney Van Dyke is one of three 8th graders already starting for an undefeated high school team. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

The base-knocks came from everywhere Tuesday, with Calkins and Farris each ripping three and Anter recording two.

Armstrong, Van Dyke, Brotemarkle, and McMillan also recorded hits, while Joltin’ Jada Heaton and 8th grader Ava Lucero rounded out the red-hot Wolf roster.

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“We were there to take care of business”

Posted in Middle School, Volleyball, tagged Adeline Maynes, CMS Wolves, Sultan, Tenley Stuurmans, volleyball on October 10, 2023| Leave a Comment »

CMS 8th grader Tenley Stuurmans is on her way to rock your world with knee-quaking spikes. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

Sweet revenge and big growth.

Monday was a rock-solid day for the Coupeville Middle School volleyball program, as it defended its home gym, going toe-to-toe with always-tough Sultan.

How the day played out:

Varsity:

Coupeville’s top squad garnered payback for a season-opening loss to the Turks, thrashing them in straight sets this time around.

The Wolves came out on top 25-19, 25-22, 15-8, bringing a smile to coach Cris Matochi’s face, even on a day when power-mad refs tried to slow his own personal roll.

“The varsity team had the best match so far this season,” Matochi said. “After a tough loss during the first game of the season, the girls decided to bring it all to the floor today.

“We made a statement to Sultan today and we showed that we were there to take care of business.”

Coupeville’s goals were to be “calm, focused and form-oriented,” followed up by adapting quickly and maintaining chemistry when the lineup was altered later in the match.

Give the Wolves three thumbs up.

“The girls did an incredible job being able to stay aggressive while being in control throughout the entire match,” Matochi said.

“What worked really well for us today, was the team being able to recover really quickly, while keeping the ball in play.”

Amidst the spikes and sets, Matochi, among the most exuberant of Wolf coaches, was dinged by the refs, handed a yellow card for “being too close to the court.”

In a CMS gym with very narrow sidelines…

The coach and his players shrugged it right off, however, and went back to the business in hand.

“That is the Brazilian in me,” Matochi said with a chuckle.

“I grew up playing volleyball with my coaches right on my ear and I find it quite impossible to sit and not be right there, close to them during the battle.

“What was nice, is that my players did not let it affect the game. They laughed it off, keep their heads up and used it as momentum for the match.”

At this point, Matochi is used to American middle school refs frequently acting like 100-year-old nuns wielding rulers.

“I just don’t understand why they are watching me like a hawk, and not the match, but I know that they are just doing their job,” he said.

“I don’t think I ever had a season without a yellow card so I will not let this one hurt my feelings,” Matochi added with another laugh.

“We Brazilians are passionate people … sometimes too passionate!”

When the refs let the players actually, you know, play, the Wolves were on point.

“I did a lot of substitutions today and I was so proud to see the players that are usually in the starting lineup leading and helping all players that were coming in,” Matochi said.

“They had an incredible chemistry throughout the entire match and that really made a difference.”

Five matches into an eight-match season, Coupeville’s varsity players, many of whom will move up to high school volleyball next fall, are showing great growth.

“We are at a point in the season where our game is changing and evolving and in order to keep up performing well, the players need to keep adapting and improving,” Matochi said.

“The game is getting faster, and the players are getting stronger, so it is really nice to see our hard work paying off.”

JV – A:

A nailbiter until the end, with Coupeville falling just short.

Sultan escaped with a 25-21, 17-25, 15-13 “victory,” though the Wolves actually won more points at 59-57.

“We were so close!” Matochi said. “Even though the game did not end up how we wanted, it was still such a great game and the players played really well.”

First-year coach Kristina Hooks brings passion and excitement to her job. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)

“Coach Kristina (Hooks) has been working so hard with the JV teams and the players improvement has been so noticeable,” Matochi added.

“We saw some really nice plays today and the players are moving so much better and developing their skills so nicely. It is a jog, not a sprint.”

JV – B:

It’s the age-old quandary for middle school volleyball coaches – short-term success or long-term skill-building?

While a lot of teams like Sultan are content to rack up points now by using underhand serves, Coupeville’s coaches prefer their players learn how to compete at the next level.

That means having the young Wolves develop overhand serves, making the transition easier as they climb the rungs in the program.

Monday, the young CMS spikers may have lost the match, but they continued to prepare themselves for next year, and the years after that.

“The team had a great energy on the court,” Matochi said. “We are always focusing on the big picture, of where they need to be when they go to play for their high school team.

“No good deed goes unpunished because when we play other teams where the kids do not know how to serve overhand, the coaches had taught the players to serve underhand, so they get a lot of points on us.

“However, it is a short-term fix because if the players do not learn the proper form at young age, it can really come back to haunt them when they play at a higher level.”

While Monday’s scoreboard might not have reflected it, the steady growth shown by the spikers bodes well for the future – both as individual players, and as members of the Wolf program.

“The most important thing is to remember that a lot of these kids are playing volleyball for the first time,” Matochi said.

“So, although winning is nice, our focus is to learn volleyball properly and develop their skills while having a good experience with volleyball.”

Up next:

Back-to-back Island rivalry matches with South Whidbey.

The Wolves travel to Langley Oct. 11, then return home Oct. 17 for their final matches in their own gym.

After that comes the season finale Oct. 23 at Lakewood.

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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

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Pack the car, they’re state bound!

Posted in Little League, Softball, tagged Adeline Maynes, Ava Lucero, Central Whidbey Little League, Softball, state tourney on June 27, 2023| Leave a Comment »

District champs, and still undefeated heading into the state tourney. (Kerry Western photos)

Roll on, mighty Wolves, roll on.

Beating visiting Sedro-Woolley 10-0 for the second night in a row, the Central Whidbey Little League Majors softball team cleared a major hurdle Tuesday night in Oak Harbor.

The victory lifts the Wolves to 14-0 on the season, gives them the District 11 title, and sends them on to the state tourney.

The big dance goes down July 1-9 in Vancouver, with Central Whidbey slated to open play against the winner of District 5, which reps the lower corner of Eastern Washington.

Here’s the state bracket, just waiting for teams to be plugged in:

Click to access 2023_LLSB_State_Bracket_1.0.pdf

Tuesday night, the Wolves went for the clincher in their best 2-of-3 district rumble, and once again came up big against a tough foe.

Walks were key, as Central Whidbey racked up a ton, but the Islanders also got base-knocks from Kennedy Strevel, Chelsi Stevens, and Cassandra Powers.

The Wolves pushed three runs across in the first to snatch the lead, before tacking on two more in the third, four in the fourth, and a final tally in the fifth to push the game into mercy-rule territory.

“We were very disciplined tonight against a pair of good Sedro pitchers,” said Central coach Aaron Lucero.

“Hats off to Sedro, they came out looking to fight and made some big plays,” he added. “We had bases loaded in the first three or four innings and we just couldn’t put it away.”

Stevens launched “an absolute laser shot with the bases loaded and two outs” that might have broken the game open early, only to see Sedro’s outfielder make “a fantastic grab” to save runs.

The Wolves never backed down, however, continuing to put the pressure on their foes.

“Great job by our ladies to just keep chipping away,” Aaron Lucero said. “Putting the ball in play, aggressive base-running, and hustle, got it done for us offensively.”

Strevel and Adeline Maynes both tapped home plate twice for the Wolves, while Sydney Van Dyke, Stevens, Olivia Martin, Cameron Van Dyke, Emma Cushman, and KeeAyra Brown also scored.

Basking in the afterglow of sweet victory.

Mary Western, Ava Lucero, Selah Rivera, Samantha Antonio, and Allie Powers also played for Central Whidbey.

Maynes returned to the pitcher’s circle for Central Whidbey and was in lock-down mode most of the game, whiffing eight.

She got big-time help on defense from her catcher, Ava Lucero, who made the defensive play of the night for the final out.

Sedro had the bases jammed with two outs and was desperate to keep the game going when a wild pitch ran away from the waiting glove.

Responding instantly, Ava Lucero scrambled to the backstop, sliding on one knee to snatch the ball off the ground and fire it back to Maynes, who slapped the game-ending tag on an incoming runner.

Now, it’s off to the big stage for the Wolves, with their coach ready to hit the open roads for another long trip.

“Really proud of these players on a truly undefeated season,” Aaron Lucero said. “They showed a lot of grit.”