Fast-rising Coupeville softball sluggers (l to r) Emma Mathusek, Scout Smith, Hannah Davidson and Maya Toomey-Stout. (Charlotte Young photo)
The future’s so bright, they gotta wear shades.
The Coupeville High School softball squad is jam-packed with standout freshmen and sophomores, and the girls coming up behind them are equally talented.
They more than proved that Tuesday, with two separate Central Whidbey Little League teams rolling up one-sided wins against Oak Harbor-based teams.
Not showing any fear against their big city foes, both the CWLL Majors (Coupeville Crush) and Juniors (Venom) bashed away all night long.
The Crush improved to 6-0 with a 15-4 win over Oak Harbor Gold, while the Venom evened their record at 2-2 with a 32-2 rout of North Whidbey.
In the Majors game, flame-throwing Izzy Wells was spot-on in the pitcher’s circle, before giving way to Kaela Mefert, who made a solid pitching debut in the fourth.
The game’s biggest hit came off of the bat of Kylie Van Velkinburgh, who cranked a double over the left fielder’s head, a moment that made dad Dustin pop his buttons with pride.
“The ball jumped off her bat!,” he said.
Coupeville’s bright future on the diamond can be perfectly encapsulated by the younger Van Velkinburgh, who has yet to lose a softball game in the two seasons she’s played, a streak that has topped 22 straight games.
The Venom got something from everyone in their lineup and did their best to keep their game as painless as possible.
Newcomer Willow Vick ripped a gorgeous single, showcasing a developing ease at the plate, while other Venom players also worked on new skills.
That ranged from speed demon Maya Toomey-Stout laying down bunts for the first time and catcher Mollie Bailey stealing her first two bases of the season.
Hurlers Scout Smith and Chelsea Prescott were lights out for the Venom, who play at the Coupeville High School field Thursday (6 PM) against South Whidbey.
Coupeville Sports 