Beat Friday

Back-to-back victories over Nooksack Valley and Friday Harbor on Saturday at Pipeline Field in Blaine earned the Coupeville High School baseball team its first district championship in more than 17 seasons.

Wolves’ coach Willie Smith said the team went to the long ball smacking four home runs in the 11-4 victory over Nooksack Valley in the opening round, and then came back with a 3-2 win over Friday Harbor to claim the district title.

Going into the game, Friday Harbor had been the No. 1-ranked Class 1A team in the state.

“We had 15 hits in the game against Nooksack Valley,” Smith said. “We came out and smoked them.”

Jared Murdy got things started blasting a three-run home run and Coupeville took a 4-0 lead after the first inning of play.

“That kind of set the tone for the game and we were pretty relaxed,” Smith said.

Kyle Wilcox also had a three-run round tripper and winning pitcher Zac Hauser had a two-run shot. Alex Evans rounded out the home run barrage with a solo blast.

“The ball was really jumping and it was raining at the time, so we were really hitting the ball hard,” Smith said.

Hauser went the distance on the mound for Coupeville striking out seven to earn the pitching victory.

In the championship game, Friday Harbor held a 2-0 lead before the Wolves got things rolling in the sixth inning.

Wilcox walked to lead the inning off and advanced to second on an infield out.

Hauser singled him home with the first run and then advanced to second on a passed ball.

Freshman Ian Smith singled home the tying run and after a walk, Kramer O’Keefe singled in Smith with the game-winning run.

Friday Harbor threatened in the seventh inning putting with runners on first and second with one out, but Smith snagged a line drive and then flipped the ball to shortstop James Smith for a game-ending double play.

“Then the celebration began,” coach Smith said. “The kids played so well and stayed so focused. Friday Harbor was the No. 1 team, but of course I didn’t tell the kids that until after the game.”

Smith said the Wolves have been hitting the ball well, collecting 45 hits in the last four games.

“It was a huge win for us against Friday Harbor and we just kept battling,” he said. “We’ve come close a couple of times, but haven’t beaten them in four years. This was a big hurdle the team got over and we have a lot of confidence.”

Coupeville hosts Vashon Island at 4 p.m. today.

“Vashon Island has a strong team with six seniors, just like us,” Smith said. “They have a left-handed pitcher who has a good curve ball and a throws with lot of velocity. It should be a good game.”

A win will send the Wolves to Castle Rock May 17 for the regional tournament.

A victory there will make the Wolves one of the top 16 teams and earn them a trip to the state tournament.

If the Wolves lose to Vashon Island, they play at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in Stanwood against either Seattle Christian or Overlake.

Beat Friday

Back-to-back victories over Nooksack Valley and Friday Harbor on Saturday at Pipeline Field in Blaine earned the Coupeville High School baseball team its first district championship in more than 17 seasons.

Wolves’ coach Willie Smith said the team went to the long ball smacking four home runs in the 11-4 victory over Nooksack Valley in the opening round, and then came back with a 3-2 win over Friday Harbor to claim the district title.

Going into the game, Friday Harbor had been the No. 1-ranked Class 1A team in the state.

“We had 15 hits in the game against Nooksack Valley,” Smith said. “We came out and smoked them.”

Jared Murdy got things started blasting a three-run home run and Coupeville took a 4-0 lead after the first inning of play.

“That kind of set the tone for the game and we were pretty relaxed,” Smith said.

Kyle Wilcox also had a three-run round tripper and winning pitcher Zac Hauser had a two-run shot. Alex Evans rounded out the home run barrage with a solo blast.

“The ball was really jumping and it was raining at the time, so we were really hitting the ball hard,” Smith said.

Hauser went the distance on the mound for Coupeville striking out seven to earn the pitching victory.

In the championship game, Friday Harbor held a 2-0 lead before the Wolves got things rolling in the sixth inning.

Wilcox walked to lead the inning off and advanced to second on an infield out.

Hauser singled him home with the first run and then advanced to second on a passed ball.

Freshman Ian Smith singled home the tying run and after a walk, Kramer O’Keefe singled in Smith with the game-winning run.

Friday Harbor threatened in the seventh inning putting with runners on first and second with one out, but Smith snagged a line drive and then flipped the ball to shortstop James Smith for a game-ending double play.

“Then the celebration began,” coach Smith said. “The kids played so well and stayed so focused. Friday Harbor was the No. 1 team, but of course I didn’t tell the kids that until after the game.”

Smith said the Wolves have been hitting the ball well, collecting 45 hits in the last four games.

“It was a huge win for us against Friday Harbor and we just kept battling,” he said. “We’ve come close a couple of times, but haven’t beaten them in four years. This was a big hurdle the team got over and we have a lot of confidence.”

Coupeville hosts Vashon Island at 4 p.m. today.

“Vashon Island has a strong team with six seniors, just like us,” Smith said. “They have a left-handed pitcher who has a good curve ball and a throws with lot of velocity. It should be a good game.”

A win will send the Wolves to Castle Rock May 17 for the regional tournament.

A victory there will make the Wolves one of the top 16 teams and earn them a trip to the state tournament.

If the Wolves lose to Vashon Island, they play at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in Stanwood against either Seattle Christian or Overlake.