Coupeville picking up steam as it heads to playoffs / Baseball

By Jim Waller • April 29, 2019 1:30 am
Coupeville’s Jake Pease sides under the tag of Granite Falls’ Cameron Tappe to score a first-inning run for the Wolves.(Photo by John Fisken)
Coupeville’s Jake Pease sides under the tag of Granite Falls’ Cameron Tappe to score a first-inning run for the Wolves. (Photo by John Fisken)

Continuing to build momentum heading into the playoffs, the Coupeville High School baseball team whipped visiting Granite Falls 8-1 Friday, April 26, in the final regular season game.

The Wolves, with a revived offense, won their seventh straight after opening the season with 12 losses. Coupeville averaged only one run per game during the early season struggles but shifted into high gear for the final stretch, averaging nine runs during the win streak.

The Wolves (7-8, 7-12) open the eight-team, double-elimination bi-district tournament against Meridian (9-10), the Northwest Conference’s top seed, at noon Saturday, May 4, at Bellingham’s Sehome High School.

The Trojans’ record is deceiving because the Northwest Conference also includes 2A and 3A schools. Meridian is undefeated against 1A schools; one of its wins is over 3A Ferndale.

If the Wolves win, they play the winner of King’s and the Emerald City League’s top seed at 4 p.m. Saturday at Bellingham’s Joe Martin Stadium.

If the Wolves lose, they play the King’s/Emerald City loser at 4 p.m. Saturday at Sehome in a loser-out game.

Coupeville 8, Granite Falls 1

The Wolves put this one away early, scoring six runs in the first inning.

Matt Hilborn got things started when he was hit by a pitch, Hawthorne Wolfe reached on an error and both scored on Jake Pease’s double.

Dane Lucero walked, then with two outs, Ulrik Wells and Bryce Payne each followed with two-run singles.

In the third, Pease got aboard on an error and eventually scored on Daniel Olson’s sacrifice fly.

Wolfe was hit by a pitch in the sixth, stole second and scored on Pease’s hit to finish the scoring.

Hilborn and Pease each finished with two hits, while Olson, Wells, Payne and Shane Losey added singles.

Hilborn was also the winning pitcher, firing a three-hitter with eight strikeouts and one walk.

Matt Hilborn throws a pitch in his three-hitter Friday. (Photo by John Fisken)

Matt Hilborn throws a pitch in his three-hitter Friday. (Photo by John Fisken)

Coupeville catcher Gavin Knoblich receives a pitch.(Photo by John Fisken)

Coupeville catcher Gavin Knoblich receives a pitch. (Photo by John Fisken)

Third baseman Shane Losey settles under a p0p fly while Matt Hilborn looks on.(Photo by John Fisken)

Third baseman Shane Losey settles under a p0p fly while Matt Hilborn looks on. (Photo by John Fisken)

Dane Lucero records a force out at first base.(Photo by John Fisken)

Dane Lucero records a force out at first base. (Photo by John Fisken)

The Wolves’ Hawthorne Wolfe squares up a bunt.(Photo by John Fisken)

The Wolves’ Hawthorne Wolfe squares up a bunt. (Photo by John Fisken)