Freshman Katrina McGranahan kicked a field goal — make that, hit a three-run double — with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to help the Coupeville High School softball team come from behind and defeat visiting Chimacum 22-21 Thursday, April 16.

McGranahan’s heroics kept the Wolves from suffering a heart-wrenching loss and lifted Coupeville to a 2-0 conference record (3-4 overall). The clutch hit was her second bases-clearing double of the afternoon.

Coupeville built a 19-10 lead, then the Cowboys (1-1, 4-3) scored 11 runs in the final two innings to go ahead 21-19 and nearly pull off the huge comeback.

McKayla Bailey, coming off an injury, made her first start of the season in the circle for Coupeville and battled through hand cramps and a leaky defense to throw a complete game.

Chimacum scored four runs in the top of the first inning, and Coupeville countered with six to take a lead it would hold until the top of the seventh.

A double by Lauren Rose, singles by McGranahan and Hailey Hammer and five walks fueled the six-run first for the Wolves.

The Cowboys scored a single run in the second inning to make it 6-5, then Coupeville exploded for eight runs in its half. Three runs were forced in by bases-loaded walks, three more where plated by McGranahan’s first double and single runs were scored on a Bailey single and an infield out by Monica Vidoni. McGranahan also had a single earlier in the inning, as did Hammer.

The Wolves went scoreless over the next two innings, and the Cowboys cut the lead to 14-10 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning.

The Wolves appeared to put the game away with five runs in the fifth. Four walks, a double from Tiffany Briscoe and singles by Vidoni and Hope Lodell produced the five-spot.

Chimacum then scored eight runs in the sixth inning and three in the seventh to go up 21-19. The Cowboys could have possibly had more. The leadoff hitter in the seventh doubled but was cut down by catcher Rose trying to steal third.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, Vidoni started the winning rally with a walk. Kyla Briscoe also walked. Vidoni was forced at third on a fielder’s choice, then Tiffany Briscoe was awarded first when a pitch grazed her helmet. That loaded the bases to set up McGranahan’s gapper that rolled to the left-center field fence, chasing home three runs.

“We got solid hits all the way around,” coach Deanna Rafferty said. “Everyone down the line contributed. I’m so impressed on how they played under pressure. The kids are playing their hearts out, getting better with every game.”

Though pitcher Bailey’s hand cramped up in the seventh, the senior hurler told Rafferty she wanted to finish the game.

“I trust her,” Rafferty said.

(Hailey Hammer strokes a single for the Wolves. Photo by John Fisken.)