Mia Farris picked Princeton to beat Arizona in the NCAA men’s basketball tourney (seriously), and hammers homers on the softball diamond. Truly a woman for all seasons. (Jackie Saia photo)
It was a tasty appetizer.
The full meal arrives Saturday, when the Coupeville High School softball team hosts a doubleheader in which it will square off with top-level rivals Forks and Granite Falls.
In preparation for those tilts, the Wolves romped to a 20-2 win over visiting La Conner Tuesday in the Northwest 2B/1B League opener for both programs.
The victory, which lifts CHS to 1-0 in conference action, 2-1 overall, was a savage affair.
Or could have been, as the Wolves did everything in their power not to unnecessarily embarrass the overmatched Braves.
Ten of the 12 outs Coupeville recorded came via things such as leaving the base early, as La Conner was only able to record two putouts on its own.
Wolf coach Kevin McGranahan also went all the way down his bench, giving an at-bat to all 16 eligible players, with 8th graders Haylee Armstrong, Capri Anter, and Melanie Wolfe making their high school softball debuts.
Anter got the spotlight role, coming on in relief of senior hurler Allie Lucero to chuck 2.1 innings from the pitcher’s circle.
“Great day for softball and a lot of needed reps for the younger players,” McGranahan said. “The veteran players were extremely supportive.”
Those older Wolves keyed an explosive 17-hit, 13-walk performance, with the big plays coming from the very start.
Chloe Marzocca, ready to get medieval on the softball. (Jackie Saia photo)
Leading off in the bottom of the first inning, Mia Farris clouted an inside-the-park home run, launching a long shot which dropped over the head of the centerfielder and rolled to the fence.
Not content to stop there, the Wolves added another dinger before the opening frame was done.
Melanie Navarro, who is on a tear to rival any put together by a Wolf softball slugger, walloped a grand slam, the ball clearing the fence at its furthest point from the plate.
The socko slam was the fourth tater for the senior in three games, with three of those four landing outside the fence.
Navarro has lashed a longball in every game this season, with two against South Whidbey in the opener, followed by shots against Meridian and La Conner.
Along with the pair of home runs, the Wolves got doubles from Gwen Gustafson, Madison McMillan, Sofia Peters, Chloe Marzocca, and Anter.
Up 5-0 after one inning, Coupeville pushed the lead to 10-0 after two, 17-2 by the third, and settled for the 20-2 romp.
Allie Lucero and Anter combined to whiff nine La Conner batters, while giving up just a single hit on the afternoon.
In addition to the players previously listed, Taylor Brotemarkle, Jada Heaton, Maya Lucero, Teagan Calkins, Bailey Thule, and foreign exchange student Layla Heo saw action against La Conner.
Coupeville Sports 