Maya Nottingham taps home. (Photo by JohnsPhotos.net)
The Wolf sluggers enjoy their Saturday. (Photo courtesy Kevin McGranahan)
“I’m very proud of these girls.”
Facing off with host Olympic High School, a larger 2A program, the Coupeville JV softball squad came up short on the scoreboard Saturday, but not in the eyes of their coach.
“It was a great learning experience for the girls,” said Katrina McGranahan.
“We played a real game today. No time limit and no five-run innings. We played until we got three outs.
“That’s how they learn the game and that’s how they get mentally tough.”
Olympic is a quality team, going 17 deep on the JV side, with most of its starting lineup comprised of players who swing between varsity and JV.
The Trojans can hit, and they smacked the ball around the field in a 25-10 win, but the upside for the Wolves goes far beyond one defeat in the record book.
“Yes, we lost, but we played a solid team, probably the best team we’ve seen so far,” McGranahan said. “Now we know exactly where we need to work in order to better ourselves.”
Coupeville’s JV, which drops to a still impressive 5-2 on the season, is scheduled to play two games at Blaine May 7 in its season finale.
Saturday’s game also gave the young Wolves their first crack at playing on turf this season.
“We have never done so before and it showed,” McGranahan said. “The girls played their best though, and that’s all we can ever ask of them.
Chloe Marzocca and Mia Farris handled pitching duties early, as usual, and then the Wolves tried something new, with Taylor Brotemarkle entering the circle for the first time as a high school player.
Normally the starting shortstop for the CHS varsity, the freshman made an impressive debut in a new role.
“I decided to put Taylor in to pitch cause why not at that point, right?” said McGranahan. “Saw her warming up the other day, so might as well see her in the game and guess what she did.
“AMAZING. We were all joking with her, and she was joking about it too, but it turns out she has some potential there.
“Interesting, very interesting.”
McGranahan also praised the play of Maya Nottingham, who showcased a slick glove on the turf.
“She played great at second base! I was so proud of her,” McGranahan said.
“She had this one play where the ball was hit up the middle and I didn’t think she’d get to it, but she snagged it with a back hand and slapped a tag on the runner for the out!
“I was in awe of that play.”
Saturday stats:
Teagan Calkins — 1 double
Mia Farris — 1 single, 1 double
Jada Heaton — 1 single
Violette Huegerich — 1 walk
Katie Marti — 1 double, 1 walk
Chloe Marzocca — 1 walk
Melanie Navarro — 1 single, 1 walk
Maya Nottingham — 1 walk
Coupeville Sports 