A first-inning run was all Granite Falls needed to defeat the Coupeville High School baseball team 1-0 Monday, April 21, at Robert Sherman Field.
A single, hit batter, wild pitch and ground out produced the game’s only run off Coupeville starter Ben Etzell.
Etzell, who pitched a three-hitter, gave up a one-out walk and single in the second inning then finished the game by mowing down the final 17 Granite Falls batters, seven by strikeout.
The first-inning run was the only run Etzell has surrendered in the last 22 innings; Coupeville, however, has also scored only one run during that span.
The Tigers’ Riley Larsen tossed a four-hit, complete game shutout with seven strikeouts to earn the win.
Coupeville, which had only six base runners in the game, had its best chance to score in the fourth and seventh innings.
In the fourth, singles by Kurtis Smith and Aaron Trumbull put two on, by a strikeout ended the threat.
Trumbull led off the seven with a double which tipped off the glove of the Tiger right fielder. A failed bunt attempt, ground out and strikeout ended the game.
The Wolves were a bit unlucky on offense as they lined out several times.
“I can’t get mad at the kids for hitting the ball hard,” coach Willie Smith said.
Coupeville (5-7, 6-7) and Granite Falls (8-4, 9-5) play in Granite Falls at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, and in Coupeville Friday, April 24.
The Wolves have a makeup game at Lakewood (3-10, 3-11) Thursday.