Coupeville outlasts league-leading Granite Falls 20-18 / Softball

By Jim Waller • May 2, 2019 1:30 am

Granite Falls raced to the North Sound Conference softball lead this season by pounding teams into submission. Coupeville beat the Tigers at their own game Wednesday, May 1, out-slugging the visitors 20-18.

The Wolves (6-3, 9-7) moved into a tie for second place with Cedar Park Christian (6-3, 11-4) and within a half game in the loss column behind first-place Granite Falls (8-2, 11-6) with the win.

Granite Falls’ high-powered offense has scored in double figures in all put one of its 17 games this season, including two earlier wins over the Wolves (23-11, 12-8).

Coupeville 20, Granite Falls 18

Wednesday’s game was a wild one as the teams scored in all but one half inning.

In typical fashion, the Tigers came out slugging, scoring five runs in the first inning. Coupeville countered with three runs behind a home run by Sarah Wright.

After three and a half innings, Granite Falls led 10-6, then Coupeville exploded for nine runs on 10 hits to go up 17-10.

The Tigers responded by tallying seven runs in the top of the fifth to regain the lead, then the Wolves scored twice to tie it at 17 heading into the final two innings.

Coupeville, with Izzy Wells in the circle, blanked Granite Falls in the sixth and surrendered only one run in the seventh. Meanwhile, the Wolves kept rolling, scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth to pull out the win.

Coupeville finished the game with 22 hits, eight more than the Tigers.

Coupeville had plenty of hitting stars.

Scout Smith had two doubles, two singles, two RBI and four runs. Coral Caveness collected four singles (while also playing three different defensive positions), and Wright finished with a home run, two singles and three RBI.

Veronica Crownover added two singles, a double and two runs driven in, and Emma Mathusek hit her first career home run and registered four RBI.

Chelsea Prescott and Mollie Bailey each singled twice, Mackenzie Davis added a base hit and Wells singled and drove in two runs.

“We made our share of mistakes but we continued to fight and scored in every inning,” coach Kevin McGranahan said. “Total team win, and they continue to remind me of why I do this. I couldn’t be more proud of them, and watching them achieve their goals makes every minute I spend out there worth it.”

Coupeville entertains Sultan (1-6, 1-9) in a doubleheader at 3 p.m. Friday, May 3, and then finishes the regular season at South Whidbey (1-8, 4-11) at 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 7.