A warning has been issued to softballs everywhere. This is Hailey Hammer and she will hurt you. Approach with caution. (John Fisken photos)
Lauren Rose, having recovered from this dusty encounter in an earlier game, knocked in a pair of runs Thursday.
Hailey Hammer’s bat just melted.
Pounded the snot out of the ball all day long, the Coupeville High School senior put together a nine RBI afternoon Thursday, sparking the Wolves to a 20-4 romp over host Klahowya.
Hammer’s offensive explosion, which included a grand slam that cleared the fence and is still bouncing down the interstate, helped Coupeville improve to 6-10.
The Wolves finished their first go-round in the 1A Olympic League at 5-4 and will claim third place and a trip to the playoffs.
Before they get there, however, they have three non-conference games that were rained out to make-up — at South Whidbey (May 15) and Meridian (May 18) and home against La Conner (May 19).
Klahowya (6-2) and Chimacum (6-2), who have split their first two meetings, face-off Tuesday to determine the league champ.
The Eagles, who were without their top pitcher Thursday, will need to regroup after taking a shellacking from the Wolves.
“Everyone hit today and made it on base,” said CHS coach Deanna Rafferty.”It was a great offensive game.”
The few times Hammer didn’t pick up the RBI, everyone else chipped in.
Freshmen Lauren Rose and Katrina McGranahan had two each, while Tiffany Briscoe, McKayla Bailey, Kailey Kellner and Jae LeVine knocked in a run apiece.
McGranahan whiffed seven batters, and the few times the Eagles made contact against her, the Wolf defense flagged most things down.
Briscoe got web gem honors with a deep catch in left.
“It was a great way to finish league play,” Rafferty said. “I’m proud of my girls, they played with grace and sportsmanship.”
Coupeville Sports 