Smith’s grand slam helps Wolves grab improbable win / Softball

By Jim Waller • April 16, 2019 1:30 am

The softball fairy spread a little magic dust – twice – on Coupeville in the Wolves’ 8-4 nine-inning win over visiting Cedar Park Christian Monday, April 15.

After scoring only one run over the first six innings, the Wolves scored three times in the bottom of the seventh to send the game to extra innings, then Scout Smith smashed a walk-off grand slam to seal the victory in the ninth.

The win helped Coupeville (4-1, 6-5) keep pace with Granite Falls (4-1, 7-5) for the North Sound Conference lead. The leaders square off at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, in Granite Falls. The Tigers handed Coupeville its only league loss, beating the Wolves 23-11 March 26.

Against Cedar Park Christian, the Wolves managed only three hits heading into the seventh. Sarah Wright started the rally with a base hit, then Mollie Bailey reached on an error. Veronica Crownover singled in Wright to make it 4-2.

The rally looked like it might fizzle after the next two batters registered outs, bringing up the No. 9 hitter freshman Izzy Wells. Wells, who has “ice water in her veins,” according to coach Kevin McGranahan, laced a single on a 3-2 count to plate the tying runs.

With new life, the Wolves and Wells, their pitcher, dominated the two extra innings.

Wells retired the Eagles in order in the eighth and ninth innings, collecting three strikeouts along the way.

Per softball rules, Bailey, who committed the final out of the eighth inning, began the ninth at second. An error off the bat of Crownover and a infield single by Coral Caveness loaded the bases. Wells hit into a fielder’s choice, forcing Bailey at the plate. Up stepped Smith with two outs. Having hit the ball hard all day but right at defenders, Smith hit the ball where it couldn’t be caught, over the outfield fence for a four-run home run and the victory.

Coupeville’s first run came in the fourth inning when Wright doubled and Bailey singled.

The Wolves received a strong pitching performance from Wells, who threw all nine innings, giving up six hits and fanning 11. She was backed by an errorless defense.

On offense, Smith finished with a home run and single, Wright had a double and single, Crownover two rapped two singles, and Mathusek, Caveness and Wells added base hits.

“High school careers are made of nights like this, and every girl in uniform contributed to this win,” McGranahan said. “Great team win – Wolves never say die.”