Coupeville’s Ben Etzell earned the Most Valuable Player Award for both games in the regional senior 1A/B all-star baseball double header in Bellingham Monday, June 2.

The game featured the area’s top players from 1A and B schools and served as a feeder game into the all-state series June 14 and 15 in Yakima.

Etzell, based on his performance in the games, his season and his career, was nominated for the all-state games. He should hear within the next few days from the state committee if he was selected, according to coach Willie Smith.

Etzell, who was also the MVP of the Cascade Conference this spring, threw three strong innings, hit the ball well and played a solid third base in the double header, Smith said.

Smith, who coached one of the two all-star teams, and Etzell were joined in the games by Coupeville’s Wade Schaef, Kurtis Smith and Jake Tumblin.

Schaef provided the night’s defensive gem with a diving catch in the outfield, and outfielder Kurtis Smith gunned down a runner trying to stretch a single into a double.

Tumblin, who caught for Coupeville, made his debut at second base in the games and made a “great over the shoulder catch in short center field,” coach Smith said. Tumblin also collected two hits.

“Overall, the boys represented themselves and the Wolves very well and got quite a few compliments from the director of the game on how solid they were,” coach Smith said. “It was a great day and a lot of fun playing with kids from South Whidbey, Overlake (pitcher and catcher who threw against us, great and fun kids), Lummi Nation, Meridian, Mount Baker, Blaine and Friday Harbor.”