
Coupeville’s softball bats have thumped a merry tune this season, with the Wolves outscoring foes 42-13. (Jackie Saia photo)
The path to a league title comes through Coupeville.
Winning at home, winning on the road, winning blowouts and close games, the Wolf softball sluggers are shaking up their new home.
After thunking host Friday Harbor 8-3 on a blustery afternoon Friday, CHS is a spotless 5-0 in its first season back in the Northwest 2B/1B League.
The Wolves have the most-imposing pitcher in the conference in flame-throwing junior Izzy Wells, big bats, and slick defenders.
While there are still nine games left in this pandemic-shortened season — if La Conner is able to return from a COVID-related hiatus — Coupeville is setting the pace, and doing it with conviction.
Kevin McGranahan’s squad, which hosts Concrete (0-2) at 1 PM Saturday, has outscored its foes 42-13.
Facing off with the defending league champs on their home turf Friday, the Wolves handed Friday Harbor its third loss, all of which have come in games against Coupeville.
This time around, the CHS sluggers survived the struggles of island-hopping, their arrival delayed by bus reservation issues which forced both them and Coupeville’s baseball squad to walk on the ferry at the last second.
Once on Friday Harbor the Wolves came out swinging hot, with senior catcher Mollie Bailey having herself an afternoon.
She reached base four times in five trips to the plate, bashing three doubles and racking up five RBI.
Bailey wasn’t the only one cranking out the hits, as Chelsea Prescott scorched a single and double, and Audrianna Shaw pasted a two-bagger of her own.
Kylie Van Velkinburgh and Jill Prince added singles, Wells (3) and Gwen Gustafson (2) combined for five walks, and Bella Whalen picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice.
Coupeville got on the board in the first inning, with Prescott doubling home Shaw, who led off the game with a walk, before Whalen sent Prescott scooting for home.
After that Bailey brought out the big lumber, connecting on two-run doubles in the second and fourth, before topping things with an old-fashioned RBI double in the seventh.
In between, Coupeville put up a run in the third thanks to a walk from Coral Caveness, a single from Van Velkinburgh, and some smart base-running.
While her offense was clicking, Wells was making Bailey’s mitt pop, peppering Friday Harbor for eight strikeouts while scattering just three hits.
As he contemplated a long trip home, McGranahan marinated in the win. At least for the moment.
“Izzy pitched her normal game and we hit the ball hard all day,” he said. “We have some stuff to work on, but all in all, we are playing good ball and will only get better.”