Defensive breakdowns blew open a close game and Lakewood defeated the Coupeville baseball team 18-5 at Robert Sherman Field Monday, March 28.

The Cougars held an 8-5 lead after four innings, then scored four unearned runs in the fifth to turn a tight contest into a rout.

Coupeville coach Willie Smith said, “It went okay for a little bit, then the errors came…We were right there with them for four innings.”

The Wolves’ starting pitcher Ian Smith gave up the first 12 runs, but only four were earned.

Coach Smith said, “We make some great plays, but we don’t make the routine plays.”

As the defense faltered late, so did the offense.

The Wolves collected five of their six hits in the first four innings.

Morgan Payne finished 2-for-3 with a run and “played solid defense,” according to Smith.

Ian Smith slugged a triple; and Alex McClain, Kole Kellison and Ben Carlson had RBI singles.

Coach Smith said, “I thought we did some good things. We executed well, moved runners over, ran the bases well, bunted well.”

The Wolves (1-5, 0-3) go to Lakewood (6-0, 6-0) Wednesday, March 30, at 4 p.m.