Baseball: McCain tosses no hitter, Wolves win 10-0

Alex McClain hurled a five-inning no hitter and his Coupeville baseball team exploded for a 10-run fourth inning as the Wolves defeated visiting Nooksack Valley 10-0 Saturday, March 19.

After losing by the same score in the season opener two days earlier against Lynden Christian, the Wolves bounced back for the big win.  Coupeville committed nine errors in the loss to the Lyncs but supported McClain with errorless defense Saturday.

McClain recorded five strikeouts and only one walk. Offensively he led Coupeville with two hits, including a double.

Coupeville coach Willie Smith said his club was “a bit passive” at the plate the first three innings before the fourth-inning eruption.

Ian Smith and McClain led off the fourth with singles, then Smith scored on a squeeze bunt by Drew Chan to get the scoring rolling.

Kole Kellison slugged a two-run single, then two walks loaded the bases. Smith slapped a single to right that was misplayed by the fielder and plated three runs. A double by McClain and a single by Chan finished the scoring.

Ian Smith was 2-for-3 with three RBI, and Chan finished 2-for-3 with two RBI.

Coach Smith said, “The boys came out exactly the opposite of how we played the first game…(It was a) much improved team effort and much more relaxed. Overall, the boys played like they are capable of playing – great execution throughout the game.”

Coupeville (1-1) begins league play Monday, March 21, at home with Cedarcrest (2-1, 2-0) at 4 p.m.

 

Contact Whidbey News Times Sports editor Jim Waller at jwaller@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360-675-6611 ext. 5060.

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