Granite Falls upped its Cascade Conference record to 6-0 by defeating the host Coupeville High School softball team 12-3 Wednesday, April 2.

The Tigers scored six runs over the first three innings while the Wolves rarely left the batter’s box. After Maddi Roberts grounded out to lead off the bottom of the first, Granite Falls’ Lauren Harding struck out the next eight batters.

“Our hitters are letting too many good strikes go by,” Coupeville co-coach David King said. “We are giving up too many at bats with strikeouts. We need to be more aggressive and make the defense make a play.”

The Coupeville offense finally perked up in the fourth. Roberts and Bree Messner led off with consecutive bunt hits; Roberts later scored on a sacrifice fly from Hailey Hammer.

Coupeville added two runs in the sixth with Roberts,  Messner and Hammer in the mix once again. Roberts was hit by a pitch and Messner walked ahead of Hammer’s two-run single.

The Wolves could have had more, but the Tiger center fielder made a great play on a MaKayla Bailey line drive just before Hammer’s hit.

The Coupeville defense was a mixed bag. The Wolves committed five errors but turned three double plays and left fielder Haley Sherman gunned down a runner at the plate.

“Defensively, we are making some strides in the right direction,” King said. “On the mental side of things, we are seeing good improvement throughout.”

Coupeville (1-3, 1-3) plays at Sultan (3-1, 4-1) at 4 p.m. Friday, April 4.