Madison McMillan crushes a home run. Again. (Jackie Saia photo)
They’re ready for one last run.
Coupeville’s senior softball players have compiled a 44-14 mark across their first three seasons and are looking to go out with a bang.
Third-baseman Madison McMillan, shortstop Taylor Brotemarkle, and outfielders Jada Heaton and Mia Farris top a Wolf team which returns every starter from a year ago, when they went 14-5 and came up just short of a trip to state.
Now, with former assistant coach Aaron Lucero moving up to replace the departed Kevin McGranahan, the focus remains the same.
Win, work hard, have fun, and win some more.
“We want to always be competitive in every game and make it to state,” Lucero said. “We want to be in control of our own future.
“While we can’t control whether we have to compete in a single play-in game in District 4 or get a direct bid by winning our own league, we can control our effort, attitude, preparation, and intensity.”
The Wolves will focus on core values like “team before me” and “do the little things” while looking to maintain their hold on the top spot in the Northwest 2B/1B League.
Coupeville has won three conference crowns in four seasons since moving from 1A to 2B, but the one thing missing is a return to the big dance, with the program’s last trip to state coming in 2019.
The pandemic erased spring sports in 2020 and prevented any playoffs in 2021, with the last three seasons ending just shy of a final-week bus ride to Eastern Washington.
The 2025 edition of the Wolves looks rock-solid, with the senior veterans topping a roster of experienced pros.
Teagan Calkins (center) is a bright, shining star. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
Junior catcher Teagan Calkins has “been tasked with more responsibility as the field general to our pitching staff and catchers,” and “The Red Dragon” has been a star since day one.
“I’m glad she plays for us instead of against us!” said Lucero.
Calkins will be working with a pitching staff, which while young in age, has on-field experience to spare.
Staff ace Adeline Maynes is just a freshman but threw the Wolves to within a whisker of a trip to state as an 8th grader, while sophomores Haylee Armstrong and Capri Anter both saw frequent time in the pitcher’s circle a season ago.
Freshmen Sydney Van Dyke, Ava Lucero, and Chelsi Stevens also got a jump on launching their varsity careers as 8th graders, and this time around, there’s another group ready to make the same move.
“I’ve been impressed with our 8th graders who joined us this week with several more joining after middle school basketball ends,” Aaron Lucero said.
While the Wolves are counting on having a five-pack of middle schoolers on the roster, it’s not too late for others to join.
“Any who want to play softball are welcome!” Aaron Lucero said. “I really want and need a robust JV program!”
Seniors Jada Heaton (left) and Taylor Brotemarkle have been winners since day one. (Jennifer Heaton photo)
With an experienced team which boasts a mix of longball power, speed on the basepaths, and fire in its throwing arms, the Wolves kick off their schedule Thursday with a home game against 2A Lakewood.
Coupeville’s non-conference slate includes six games against 1A, 2A, or 3A schools, plus a home doubleheader with 2B powerhouse Forks.
“We won’t take a single team lightly and will prepare accordingly,” Aaron Lucero said.
“We will give every team respect and come out with the mentality that every game is the most important.
“I added some bigger schools with good softball programs to our schedule to push us.”
Whether it’s league rivals like Darrington or Friday Harbor, or bigger schools such as Oak Harbor and Meridian, success will ultimately come down to how the Wolves prepare.
“I’m never satisfied or complacent. The team is never satisfied or complacent,” Aaron Lucero said.
“We always have work to do to improve. Everything about softball is designed to make the player fail, so we will continue to work on every phase of the game.
“Mental toughness is a must for our style of play.”
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