Blakely Doerge models the team pullover, which bears a logo designed by Sarah Wright’s family. (Kolby Doerge photo)
“Coupeville softball has a bright future with this group leading the way!”
Kolby Doerge pulls double duty as a softball coach with Mount Vernon High School and the NW Storm select squad, and his interaction with the young Wolves on his second team has left him impressed.
“I would love to have a core group this young and talented on varsity like the Wolves do!” he said.
Powered along by that quartet — CHS sophomores-to-be Katrina McGranahan, Hope Lodell and Lauren Rose and incoming freshman Sarah Wright, the Storm rolled through most of the Thunder in the Valley Invitational in Sedro Woolley last weekend.
By the time they were done, they had played six games –with McGranahan taking the pitcher’s circle each time — and finished as runner-ups in the highly-competitive 16-18U class.
The Storm opened strongly, rallying for four runs in the final frame to nip the tournament hosts.
“These young ladies never give up, hitting, stealing and scoring when called upon,” Doerge said.
Riding their momentum, the Storm built a large lead on their arch-rivals, the Bellingham Bash, in game two, but couldn’t quite hold on.
While the game ended in a narrow loss, the action provided fans with thrills, chill and spills, while broadcasting a preview of what the tourney title game would look like on Sunday.
Back-to-back wins over a scrappy Lynden squad sent the Storm into the championship game, where one bad inning hurt them in an otherwise close game.
While they didn’t nab the title, Doerge came away impressed with the grit of his sometimes undermanned squad.
“Katrina pitched her heart out all weekend. She put the team on her shoulders and pitched six games in two days,” he said. “Each time I tried to give her a break she wanted nothing to do with that. A true leader and champion.”
Her Wolf traveling companions were just as feisty, with Lodell slapping away with a new-found precision, earning her burgeoning nickname of “The Surgeon.”
“Hope had a great weekend offensively and defensively,” Doerge said. “With the bat in her hand she has perfected the left handed, running, swinging bunt dropping the ball out of reach of the defense.
“Even when they knew it was coming she had the answer, laying down the bunt and out-racing the throw to first with her blazing speed.”
Rose, who was only able to play one day of the tourney, was equally adept with getting on base, while Wright was a pitcher’s worst nightmare.
Unless the pitcher was her own teammate.
“Sarah anchored behind the plate again all weekend, working so well with McGranahan,” Doerge said. “These two are going to lead the charge for the Wolves for years to come.
“Wright has one the best on-base percentages on the team, something that is rare for a power hitter,” he added. “She just gets on base and drives in a ton of RBI’s.”
After playing in several tournaments in a row, the Storm will have a month off to work on individual pitching and batting lessons. After that they return to kick-off the second half of the tourney schedule.
P.S. — The Storm have 12U and 10U teams in the works. If Whidbey players and their parents are interested, contact Doerge at kolbydoerge@yahoo.com
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