Matt Hilborn’s single in the bottom of the eighth inning drove in the winning run and the Coupeville High School baseball team into the playoffs as the Wolves defeated visiting Granite Falls 6-5 Monday, April 22, in extra innings.

With the win, Coupeville clinched fourth place in the North Sound Conference and the final playoff berth.

The Wolves will open bi-district play at noon Saturday, May 4, at Sehome High School.

Before heading to the playoffs, the Wolves will finish the regular season with two more games against Granite Falls. The Tigers host Wednesday, and then the teams return to Coupeville for the regular-season finale at 4 p.m. Friday, April 26.

Coupeville 6, Granite Falls 5

The Tigers needed to sweep the series with Coupeville to pass the Wolves in the league standings. Granite Falls kept its postseason hopes alive by scoring in the seventh inning to knot the game at 5-5.

The Wolves responded by taking the game in the eighth. Mason Grove and Shane Losey walked, then Hilborn ripped a base hit for a win.

Hilborn finished the day with four of Coupeville’s nine hits, including hitting a leadoff double and scoring in the first inning.

Losey tripled, Ulrik Wells doubled and Hawthorne Wolfe, Dane Lucero and Bryce Payne singled for the other Coupeville hits.

Daniel Olson pitched the first five innings, giving up four (two earned) runs on four hits and four walks. He struck out seven.

Cody Roberts tossed the final three innings, yielding one run on two hits; he recorded one strikeout and walked none.

Mason Grove settles under a fly ball in Monday’s win. (Photo by John Fisken)

Shortstop Matt Hilborn makes a play for Coupeville. (Photo by John Fisken)

Jake Pease tags out Granite Falls’ Shawn Moser. (Photo by John Fisken)

Cody Roberts gets ready to throw a changeup. (Photo by John Fisken)

Center fielder Hawthorne Wolfe attempts to cut down a Tiger baserunner. (Photo by John Fisken)