Pulling off its third-straight one-run win, the Coupeville High School baseball team slipped by South Whidbey 7-6 at Robert Sherman Field Monday, March 25.

The Wolves (1-2, 3-2) took advantage of Falcon mistakes and used strong defense, two big innings, a clutch pinch hit and a strong relief performance to eke out the win over the Falcons (2-2, 2-2).

South Whidbey scored first, getting one in the opening inning off Coupeville starter Aaron Curtin.

The Wolves responded with four in their half. Jake Tumblin led with a single and scored on Drew Chan’s double. Kurtis Smith later added a two-run single and then scored on a wild pickoff throw.

The Falcons evened the score with three runs in the third highlighted by Jake Sladky’s two-run home run.

In the fourth, Coupeville scored three to regain the lead for good. Curtin beat out an infield hit, moved to second on Smith’s bunt and scored on Kyle Bodamer’s pinch single. Two more runs scored on a Falcon error.

Aaron Trumbull took over on the mound in the fourth and scattered three hits and gave up only one earned run. After he walked the leadoff hitter in the seventh, Ben Etzell took over and retired three straight to strand the tying run at second.

Wade Schaef highlighted the Coupeville defensive effort when “he came out of nowhere,” according to coach Willie Smith, to snag a deep fly ball to right center and hold runners at first and second.

Coach Smith said, “It was a huge play for us because they score at least two if he doesn’t make the catch.”

He added, “It really was a good team win for us with a lot of different guys making key contributions throughout the game.”

No Wolf had one than one hit; Chan and Etzell doubled and Smith had two RBI.

The two teams continue their three-game series in Langley at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, and conclude in Coupeville Friday.