Ava and Aaron Lucero celebrated Father’s Day by winning a tourney title. (Jess Lucero photo)
“Do the little things.”
It’s the mantra for the 14U Island Vipers softball squad, and it’s already paying off.
The squad, which brings together players from Coupeville, Oak Harbor, and South Whidbey, claimed first place in the silver bracket this weekend at the School’s Out Invite in Sedro-Woolley.
The Vipers went 3-2 in their first tourney of the summer, claiming back-to-back wins Sunday in bracket play to snag the title.
Three towns, one island, one first-place team. (Kristi Stevens photo)
The first of those bracket victories came with a little controversy attached, with Whidbey’s young sluggers rising to the moment in style.
The Vipers were up 6-5 when the game hit a time limit, and then all heck broke loose.
Their opponents, who were violating National Softball Association rules by not having a paper book, claimed their GameChanger stats showed the game knotted at 6-6.
When the ump waved the challenge off, groundskeepers took the field, the next team moved into the dugout for its game … and the opposing coach had a meltdown in the handshake line.
The Vipers, who could have walked off with the win, instead chose to have the game be resumed, so there would be no doubt of the victory.
After consultation with the tourney director, the head ump, and any opposing coaches not crying like a toddler who dropped his cupcake, the game was picked back up under International Tie Breaker rules.
Bearing down with “great defense and pitching,” the Vipers preserved the tie, even gunning down a runner at the plate on a passed ball.
Coming to the plate in the bottom half of the frame, Whidbey promptly scored, “leaving no doubt we won,” said assistant coach Aaron Lucero.
While that win was the fieriest, what Viper coaches Grant Van Dyke, Lucero, and Mason Strevel were most pleased with was their team’s solid play through all five games.
“Many notable plays throughout the weekend and contributions from everyone,” Lucero said. “Truly a team effort.
“I’m extremely proud of the team and their focus,” he added. “They never wavered even through the chaos.”
Whidbey gets back at it two weeks from now, when it travels to the Tri-Cities for the NSA state tourney.
Chelsi Stevens is just here to terrorize rival pitchers. (Kristi Stevens photo)
Weekend stats:
Shea Allison — Three walks
Capri Anter — One single, one double
Haylee Armstrong — Two singles, two walks
Jolene Coleman — One single, six walks
Emma Cushman
Lena Heggenes — Two singles, one double, one walk
Ava Lucero — One single
Adeline Maynes — Three singles, two doubles, two walks
Chelsi Stevens — One single, three walks
Kennedy Strevel — One single, one walk
Cameron Van Dyke — One single, one walk
Sydney Van Dyke — Three singles, two walks
Abby Whitney — One single, one double
Sophie Ziegler — One single, one double, three walks
Haylee Armstrong (and Pops) bask in the glow of victory. (Michelle Armstrong photo)
