Landon Roberts is one of several key Coupeville High School baseball players who can return next season. (Sherry Bonacci photo)
One run ends, another continues.
Coupeville’s seven-game winning streak on the baseball diamond came to an end Tuesday in Napavine, as the Wolves fell 11-0 in the first round of the state playoffs.
With the victory, which was mercy-ruled after five innings, the Tigers get to 21-4, and have won 16 of their last 17 games. Next up is a quarterfinal matchup Saturday with River View.
For Coupeville, a team which overcame numerous obstacles and put together a sensational second-half run, the season ends at 11-9.
While the loss stings, the simple fact the Wolves were one of just seven 2B schools from last year’s 12-team state tourney lineup to make it back to the big dance is worthy of high praise.
Two seasons, two trips to the big dance under coach Steve Hilborn. (Sherry Bonacci photo)
It’s the first time a CHS baseball squad made it to state in back-to-back seasons since 1990-1991.
And it was more than a little surprising after the Wolves started 4-8.
Missing injured ace Chase Anderson for much of the season, Steve Hilborn’s squad also lost cleanup hitter Yohannon Sandles to a mid-season family move.
But something clicked, and the Wolves closed like champs.
“Steve and I are very proud of the progress the program made,” said CHS assistant coach Jon Roberts.
“We came out of what looked like an impossible hole to dig out of to take a co-league title, a district title and a berth at state.
“Serious progress was made by many players to get better at the craft.”
While the Wolves lose seniors Peyton Caveness, Seth Woollet, Aidyn McDermott, and Cole White, the core of the team is made up of sophomores and juniors, most of whom have played together since little league.
Getting back to state was huge. Now making the jump to be able to fully compete with teams like Napavine will be the next goal.
“It’s definitely going to take off-season work by many for the Wolves to make the next step up,” Roberts said. “And there are several who are on different travel/tourney ball teams.
“Some will start practice tomorrow.”
Sophomore slugger Camden Glover has two more seasons to play. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Facing off with Napavine, Coupeville’s hitters got a chance to test themselves against one of the state’s most accomplished 2B athletes in Ashton Demarest.
The Tiger pitcher is best known for his work on the gridiron, where he went 36-3 over three seasons as his school’s starting quarterback.
The Washington State Football Coaches Association Offensive Player of the Year during his senior season this past fall, he threw for 2,248 yards and 30 touchdowns, while picking up almost another 1,000 yards and 17 scores with his feet.
Demarest can also huck a baseball, as he showed while holding Coupeville to four singles and striking out eight.
The Wolves were unable to put together a rally, getting one runner aboard in four consecutive innings, but never more than that.
Coop Cooper lashed half of his team’s base knocks, delivering singles in the second and fifth inning, while Anderson reached base on a third-inning bunt single and Caveness laced a hit in the fourth.
Napavine went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the first, but then found its groove, pounding out 12 hits across the next three frames.
The Tigers plated three in the second thanks to five of those hits, before blowing the game open with a seven-run third to push the lead out to 10-0.
One more run in the fourth set the final margin, with Demarest ending the game with three straight strikeouts to strand Cooper at first in the fifth.
In the aftermath of the loss, Wolf coaches praised those who are moving on, while looking to a bright future.
“We will definitely miss Peyton behind the dish. I’ve coached him for 10 years,” Roberts said. “We will miss Cole’s energy, smile, positive attitude and give at shortstop.
“I will also miss Aidyn and his can-do attitude and Seth’s crazy pitching.
“But with that we’re confident that we have young men ready to step up!”
Johnny Porter and crew will be back, and twice as strong. (Parker Hammons photo)
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