The Coupeville High School softball team couldn’t sustain its hot start and fell 8-3 to Bellevue Christian in the loser-out, opening round of the 1A District 3 Tournament Friday, May 20, at Tacoma’s Sprinker Fields.

The Wolves scored three runs in the second inning to lead 3-2, but they were unable generate more runs the rest of the way. The Vikings (13-6) countered with three runs in the bottom of the second to take the lead for good, then tacked on several runs late to put the game away.

Coupeville, which doesn’t have a senior on its roster, finished the year 9-11.

“The girls played a great game and kept their heads in it throughout even though we were on the bus for four hours in traffic,” coach Kevin McGranahan said. “(I) wish we could have won and moved on; but even though it has come to an end, this has been a great first season for me and I could not be more proud of these young ladies and all they have accomplished together.

“Next year we will return every one of them and even get stronger with new freshmen additions.”

Bellevue Christian went on to defeat Chimacum 18-7 and earn a spot in the state tournament.

The Vikings and Coupeville split a pair of non-league games during the regular season.

In the third encounter, BC scored two runs in the first inning, then the Wolves responded with a three-run second.

Mikayla Elfrank and Tiffany Briscoe singled, and then with two outs, Lauren Rose tripled in two runs. Rose scored on Kailey Kellner’s double.

For the game, Kellner had a single to go with her double, Briscoe added a second single and Sarah Wright singled and doubled.

Katrina McGranahan rapped a single and pitched six innings, striking out six.