In coach Marc Aparicio’s final game, Coupeville’s defense of its Olympic League baseball pennant got off to a rocky start when visiting Klahowya topped the Wolves 7-4 on a windy, rainy Wednesday, March 29.
Aparicio stepped down after the contest because of responsibilities, particularly travel, created by his new contract with the Department of the Navy.
Assistant coach Chris Smith will take over the head coaching duties.
Aparicio finished his year-plus at the helm with an overall 14-15 record and a league title.
“It’s not the way you are supposed to go out,” Aparicio said after the loss.
The Wolves suffered a blow when pitching ace Hunter Smith strained his back early in the second inning. Smith was able to stay in the game and play shortstop but could not continue pitching.
“When Hunter hurt his back, I think it mentally affected the team,” Aparicio said.
The game was the league opener for Coupeville, and the loss snapped a four-game winning streak. It was Klahowya’s second conference win of the season and gave the Eagles the early lead in the Olympic League standings at 2-0.
Klahowya scored in the top of the first inning on an error and a bit of luck. The Eagles hit three hump-back liners that just sailed out of the reach of Coupeville infielders.
Coupeville also scored in the first. Smith led off with a double and scored on Clay Reilly’s ground out.
After Smith left the mound with two outs in the second inning, Klahowya (2-0, 2-3) added a run. The Eagles tacked on two more in the third, one in the fifth and two in the sixth.
Although the Wolves put several runners on, they couldn’t push one home until the fifth, when they scored three.
With one out in the fifth, Matt Hilborn singled. After the second out, Joey Lippo ripped a base hit. Reilly and Dane Lucero followed with RBI singles, and the third run scored on an error, making it 5-4.
Coupeville threatened in the sixth and seventh but came up empty.
Lucero and Kory Score each collected a pair of hits in the game.
Coupeville (0-1, 4-3) continues league play at Port Townsend (0-2, 0-3) at 3:30 p.m. Friday, March 31.
Coupeville third baseman Dane Lucero reaches back to make a play. (Photo by John Fisken)
Coupeville outfielder Ethan Marx snags a flyball in the loss to Klahowya Wednesday. (Photo by John Fisken)
Hunter Smith throws a pitch before leaving the mound in the second inning with an injury. (Photo by John Fisken)
