Behind a three-hit shutout by Matt Hilborn, the Coupeville High School baseball team moved into a tie for the Olympic League lead with a 1-0 win over visiting Chimacum Monday, April 23.

The two teams split the first two games of their three-game series and are knotted at the top of the conference standings with 4-1 records.

The clubs meet again at 4 p.m. Friday, April 27, in a game that will most likely determine the league champion.

Before the showdown, the Wolves play at Port Townsend (1-3, 1-8) at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 25.

Coupeville closes out the conference season with two games next week: at Klahowya (1-5, 2-11) at 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 30, and with Port Townsend at home at 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 2.

Coupeville 1, Chimacum 0

The win avenged a one-run loss, 5-4, to the Cowboys April 11.

Hilborn, with the help of a big defensive play at the end, shut down Chimacum with his three-hitter, striking out nine and walking three.

Two of the Cowboys’ hits came in the final inning. With two outs, Chimacum tried to score a runner from second base on a hit to right field, but the Wolves’ Kyle Rockwell easily cut down the potential tying run at the plate with a strong throw that ended the game.

The game featured good defense — there was only one error — but a mistake played a role in the contest’s only run.

In the third inning, Coupeville’s Joey Lippo slugged a double and Hunter Smith was it by a pitch. Julian Wellings struck out, but the ball hit the dirt and the Cowboy catcher elected to try to throw out Lippo at third instead of Wellings at first. Lippo was safe, and the next batter, Dane Lucero walked on a full court to force in what turned out to be the game-winning run.

Chimacum pitcher Isaac Purser nearly matched Hilborn, throwing a four-hitter with 8 Ks and four walks.

Smith had a double in the game, and Hilborn and Jake Hoagland added singles.