Wolves face perennial power Montesano in 1st round of state tournament / Softball

By Jim Waller • May 20, 2019 1:30 am
The state-bound Coupeville softball team — Back row, left to right: coach Kevin McGranahan,, Isabelle Wells, Mollie Bailey, Emma Mathusek, Scout Smith, Sarah Wright, Nicole Laxton, Marenna Rebischke-Smith,Veronica Crownover and coach Ron Wright. Front row: coach Justine McGranahan, Chloe Wheeler, Chelsea Prescott, Audrianna Shaw, Coral Caveness and Mackenzie Davis.
The state-bound Coupeville softball team — Back row, left to right: coach Kevin McGranahan,, Isabelle Wells, Mollie Bailey, Emma Mathusek, Scout Smith, Sarah Wright, Nicole Laxton, Marenna Rebischke-Smith,Veronica Crownover and coach Ron Wright. Front row: coach Justine McGranahan, Chloe Wheeler, Chelsea Prescott, Audrianna Shaw, Coral Caveness and Mackenzie Davis.

It will be blue collar Coupeville against 1A softball royalty in the first round of the state tournament 10 a.m. Friday, May 24, at Richland’s Columbia Fields.

The Wolves (14-8), who are going to state for only the third time in school history, take on Montesano (16-4), which is making its 22nd consecutive appearance. The Bulldogs own seven state titles, the last in 2017. Last year they finished third.

Montesano shared the Evergreen Conference title with Elma this spring. Forks, who Coupeville lost to earlier this year 8-4, finished fourth in the league. Montesano defeated Forks 5-0 and 7-2.

The Wolves and Bulldogs are opposite College Place (16-7) and Deer Park (15-7), and the winners and losers will square off later Friday. A team that splits its first two games Friday will play another that evening.

Coupeville qualified for state by placing second in the district tournament, losing the championship game 10-2 to Lynden Christian Saturday, May 18, in Sedro-Woolley.

At state. Coupeville will play at least two games in the 16-team, double-elimination tournament.

Lynden Christian 10, Coupeville 2

“We came out super flat and never really got it going,” Coupeville coach Kevin McGranahan said.

The game was scoreless for four innings, then LC started to pull away.

The Lyncs led only 3-0 going into the sixth inning before burying the Wolves with five runs.

Coupeville had only three base runners over the first five innings then scored their two runs in the sixth behind singles by Scout Smith, Sarah Wright and Coral Caveness.

Coupeville collected only five hits in the game. Smith singled twice, and Wright, Caveness and Chelsea Prescott added base hits.

Third baseman Mollie Bailey comes up throwing in Saturday’s game. (Photo by Karen Carlson)

Third baseman Mollie Bailey comes up throwing in Saturday’s game. (Photo by Karen Carlson)

First baseman Veronica Crownover grabs a grounder as Scout Smith backs up the play.(Photo by Karen Carlson)

First baseman Veronica Crownover grabs a grounder as Scout Smith backs up the play. (Photo by Karen Carlson)

Chelsea Prescott is all smiles after a dirty landing into third base.(Photo by Karen Carlson)

Chelsea Prescott is all smiles after a dirty landing into third base. (Photo by Karen Carlson)

Izzy Wells throws a pitch in the district title game.(Photo by Karen Carlson)

Izzy Wells throws a pitch in the district title game. (Photo by Karen Carlson)