Wolves set to sneak up on opponents

Some teams in the Cascade Conference may erroneously think 2009 will be a rebuilding year for the Coupeville High School baseball team. However, in his 13th season at the helm of the Wolf Pack, head coach Willie Smith has other ideas. “We have a pretty good core group of kids and we are pretty solid pitching-wise,” he said.

March 13, 2009 6:22 pm
Coupeville infielders work on their hand-eye coordination during a ball handling drill on a damp
Coupeville infielders work on their hand-eye coordination during a ball handling drill on a damp

Some teams in the Cascade Conference may erroneously think 2009 will be a rebuilding year for the Coupeville High School baseball team.

However, in his 13th season at the helm of the Wolf Pack, head coach Willie Smith has other ideas.

“We have a pretty good core group of kids and we are pretty solid pitching-wise,” he said.

Last year the Wolves finished 8-10 in league games and 11-12 overall, and peaked at the right time just before the district playoffs.

Coupeville defeated Nooksack Valley and Friday Harbor to win the district championship, and then knocked off Vashon Island at the bi-districts to advance to the sweet 16 game where Castle Rock ended the Wolf Pack’s season.

A number of seniors graduated off last year’s championship squad, but Smith has junior pitcher Jason Bagby returning, along with juniors J.D. Wilcox and Chase Griffin.

“J.D. plays centerfield and also does some pitching, and Chase will be our number-one catcher,” Smith said. “A lot of our kids played summer ball last year and for the most part, they did a good job.”

Senior third baseman Jake Hill is also back and senior Joe Fleck is expected to see a lot of time in the outfield.

Sophomore Ian Smith, who played second base late in the season last year is back, and will be taking over the shortstop duties for the 2009 season.

New players on the roster include junior infielders Erik King and Chad Brookhouse.

“I don’t think we’re going to hit as well as we did last year, but I think we can create some issues,” coach Smith said. “We’ll play more of a National League type of small ball stuff and put the game in motion a lot more.”

Smith said he is optimistic about the team’s chances this season.

“This team has a lot of potential and our goal is to get back to the district,” he said. “I think we are going to be slipping up on a lot of teams this year and I like that. I’m excited about sneaking through the back door and beating other teams.”

Coupeville opens the season today hosting a jamboree with teams from Oak Harbor and South Whidbey, and plays its first non-league game on the road Friday, March 20, at Concrete.