After slow start, Wolves thump Port Townsend / Softball

Published 1:30 am Thursday, May 4, 2017

Coach Kevin McGranahan called it a “weird game,” but anyway you look at it, it was a win for the Coupeville High School softball team.

The Wolves prevailed 17-6 at Port Townsend Wednesday, May 3. Or was it 15-5?

“They reported 15-5, but, trust me, it was 17-6,” McGranahan said.

He started his reserves against the winless Redhawks, which worked out fine in the previous meeting, an 11-0 win for Coupeville.

This time, after a “sluggish start” by the Wolves, McGranahan inserted his regulars in the third inning and Coupeville pulled away.

“(Port Townsend), for once, came out swinging and hitting the ball hard,” McGranahan said. “A big change from the last several times we played.”

In two earlier meetings this season, the Coupeville pitching staff no-hit Port Townsend.

This time the Redhawks slugged four hits in the first inning, including two doubles, and scored three runs.

After the Wolves failed to score in the first two innings, McGranahan went to his strongest lineup, and Coupeville scored seven runs in the third inning and six in the fourth. At that point, McGranahan turned the game back over to the reserves.

Port Townsend’s six runs is a season high. The Redhawks began the offensive surge in their previous game when they scored five runs against Klahowya. Until that game, PT scored only one run in its first 11 games.

The Redhawks (0-7, 0-12) now have a 49-game losing streak.

“All-in-all, a good game,” McGranahan said. “Lots of learning happening.”

Mikayla Elfrank led the attack with four hits, coming a home run short of the cycle by slugging a single, two doubles and a triple. Lauren Rose added four singles and Sarah Wright three. Nicole Laxton ripped a triple and single, and Scout Smith, Veronica Crownover and Katrina McGranahan singled.

Coupeville (6-2, 15-2) will honor its seniors when it plays its final home game at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, May 4, against Sequim (8-7).