Bailey hammers home run, but... | Fastpitch

Coupeville freshman McKayla Bailey blasted a three-run home run in the Wolves' loser-out district game against visiting Meridian Thursday, May 10.

Now for the bad news: Little else went right as Coupeville lost 20-5.

The Trojans took advantage of possibly the Wolves' worst inning of the season by scoring eight unearned runs in the first inning on only two infield hits. Coupeville walked three batters and committed four errors.

The Wolves prevented more damage by turning a double play to end the inning. Third baseman Madeline Roberts scooped up a ground ball, tossed to first baseman Hailey Hammer for one out, and then Hammer rifled a throw to catcher McKenzie Kooch to nail the runner trying to score from second.

Things didn't get much better in the second. Coupeville committed two more early errors, allowing seven unearned runs to score. Although the Wolves played poorly, they also didn't have much luck. Meridian collected six hits in the inning, but only one wasn't a blooper or infield hit.

In the third, Meridian (8-13) finished its scoring by getting "only" five runs, all earned.

In the bottom of the third with one out, Bailey singled, Ali Trumbull reached on an error and then back-to-back singles by Hailey Hammer and Chevy Reyes scored two runs.

In the third, Taya Boonstra and Kooch walked, then after an out, Bailey launched a shot over the center field wall.

It was a rugged loss for Coupeville, but its two departing seniors, Trumbull and Boonstra, had good individual games.

Each reached base on all three at bats. Trumbull went 2-for-3 with a double. Boonstra walked twice and singled.

Co-coach David King noted it was ironic that the Wolves played such poor defense in the game when the team's defense improved so dramatically over last year.

He said, "We are tracking fly balls better in the outfield and catching them. We are taking better angles in the infield."

He added, "Jackie (co-coach Calkins) told the team after the game, 'Remember, we are young, so very young.'"

Coupeville (7-14) has only two seniors and two juniors on its roster.

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

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