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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