Wolves win playoff game

Coupeville’s softball team scored early, played good defense and scrambled to a 4-0 victory over Meridian Monday afternoon in a loser out, first-round game of the Class 1A playoffs.

The Wolves put two runs on the board in the top of the first inning on a pair of walks, two fielder’s choices and a single. Backed by a solid defense, pitcher Nikki Griffin held the Trojans in check for the remainder of the game.

Earning their first shutout victory of the season, a happy bunch of Wolves left the field after recording the final out of the game.

“Everything came together for us today back in a single A game against a comparably-matched team,” coach Jim Wheat said.

In the first inning, Megan Smith and Kayla Lawson drew back-to-back walks to open the game.

After Smith was forced at third base on a fielder’s choice, Lawson scored the first run on an infield out off the bat of Mandi Murdy.

With two out, Rachel Martinez scored the second run on the first of two singles by Elena Caldwell.

“It’s about time I started hitting,” the smiling Caldwell said after the game. “I’ve been slumping a little bit lately. I’m excited, it was good to finally get a win.”

The Trojans made the mistake of trying to take extra bases and had a pair of runners thrown out at second trying to stretch singles into doubles.

Lawson scored the Wolves’ third run of the game, reaching base on an error to lead off the third inning.

Griffin and Murdy walked to fill the sacks and Caldwell drove Lawson in with a single.

Coupeville had a chance to score more runs in the inning with the bases full and no one out, but was unable to do so.

“We left a lot of runners on base and could have done a lot more damage but overall, I thought we made the best of every opportunity,” Wheat said.

Griffin threw the ball well, giving up just three hits while fanning four and walking four.

“I thought everyone played really good today and we hit the ball pretty good,” she said. “My defense had my back.”

Coupeville’s final run came in the top of the seventh when Smith led off with a triple to right-center and scored on Lawson’s fielder’s choice.

The Wolves had five hits in the game and were patient at the plate, drawing eight walks.

Caldwell led the way going 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs.

“It’s nice to be in the tournament,” Wheat said. “We made a trip back when we were playing in the old format and under the new format, it’s nice to be part of it again in the first year.”

Coupeville plays in the tournament’s second round at 11 a.m. Thursday against Nooksack Valley.

Look for game details in Saturday’s Whidbey News-Times.

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