Baseball: Errors, disputed call hurt Coupeville

Errors and a disputed call sank the Coupeville baseball team in its 8-3 loss to Cedarcrest Thursday, April 22, at Sherman Field.

The first-place Red Wolves (14-0, 14-1) scored three unearned runs in the first inning with the help of two Coupeville errors.

Down 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth and with Sean Thurman (single) and Erik Wheat (double) aboard, Chase Griffin hit what appeared to be a three-run home run. The umpire, however, did not agree and ruled it a foul ball, "negating not only the lead but the momentum," according to coach Willie Smith. The Wolves failed to score in the inning.

After Cedarcrest scored in the fifth to make it 4-2, Chad Brookhouse lined an RBI single off pitcher Mark Bishop's arm. Bishop, who turned out okay, had to be removed from the game.

The Wolves blew a golden opportunity to take the lead and momentum in the sixth. With no outs, Alex McClain walked, Thurman got on on an error and Wheat bunted for a base hit to load the bases. That brought up the top of the order, but a strikeout, ground out and another strike out ended the threat.

The Red Wolves led 4-3 going into the seventh.

CHS pitcher Ian Smith had given up only one earned run and four hits heading into the seventh and "had pretty much handcuffed them," according to coach Smith. After getting an out and then giving up a walk and hit, Smith was hurt by another error which allowed two runs to score. At that point Brookhouse took over on the mound, but Cedarcrest tacked on a couple more runs to put the game away.

Erik King smacked a home run for Coupeville and Wheat finished 2-for-2 and with a double.

Coupeville (7-7, 9-7) and Cedarcrest meet again today, April 23, in Cedarcrest to complete the three-game series.

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

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