The Coupeville High School softball team came from behind twice and then held on to defeat visiting South Whidbey in the Wolves’ cold-weather season opener Saturday, March 18.

For Coupeville, it was feast or famine against Falcon pitcher Mackenzee Collins. The Wolves slugged nine hits, including a triple and home run, but also struck out 13 times. In addition the power surge, Coupeville played small ball and was aggressive on the base paths to help generate some offense.

Coupeville completed its first comeback in the first inning. The Falcons scored once, then the Wolves countered with a pair in the bottom half.

A walk to Lauren Rose and singles by Katrina McGranahan and Sarah Wright led to the Wolves’ two-spot.

South Whidbey scored three runs in the second to regain the lead.

Coupeville tallied twice in the third on a walk to Rose and a home run by McGranahan to knot the game at 4-4.

Coupeville scored the winning runs in the fifth. Jae LeVine singled, then with one out, Wright tripled in LeVine and scored on Mikayla Elfrank’s base hit.

South Whidbey (0-2) scored in the sixth to make it 6-5. In the seventh, the Falcons got two runners aboard, including one at third with one out. Coupeville pitcher McGranahan got out of trouble with a strikeout and a double play.

Wright finished the day with three hits, and McGranahan added two. Rose, LeVine, Elfrank and Hope Lodell also singled for the Wolves.

From the circle, McGranahan surrendered six hits and six walks while striking out three.

“Defensively, we were jittery and had some key mental mistakes,” Coupeville coach Kevin McGranahan said. “It was our first game, so I expected that. I will take a 6-5 win any day when we didn’t play our best ball. This team once again showed their heart and found a way to win.”

Coupeville (1-0) goes to North Mason (1-0) at 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 24.

Coupeville catcher Sarah Wright led the Wolves with three hits, including a triple, in the win over South Whidbey Saturday. (Photo by John Fisken)