The schedule makers didn’t do the young Coupeville softball team any favors.

The Wolves, with only three returning starters and a first-year coach, fell 11-0 to visiting Sultan Monday, March 16, in the season opener.

The Turks, behind powerhouse pitcher Shelby Jeffries, are one of the Cascade Conference’s top teams.

Jeffries, a junior who committed to play at Cal Poly, was all-league, first-team last spring when she struck out 226 batters in 124 innings. Monday, she pitched a two-hitter and struck out 18, including 11 of the final 12 batters she faced.

Coupeville’s two hits, both singles, came from two of its seniors: McKayla Bailey in the fourth and Hailey Hammer in the sixth.

Coupeville coach Deanna Rafferty also liked the quality of at bats of freshman Lauren Rose and others in the lineup who “made good contact.”

“They let their nerves get the best of them facing a tall, strong player,” Rafferty said. “They made contact; they all did. I am proud of them.

“We will be working on our bats for the next game.”

After two scoreless innings, Sultan scored three runs in the third inning, and then the Turks put the game away by plating eight runs in the final three frames.

While the score may not show it, the Wolves received a strong pitching performance from Katrina McGranahan in her first varsity start.

The freshman struck out 11 and was the victim of four errors and several mental lapses from her defense.

McGranahan will eventually share the pitching duties with Bailey, who tossed the majority of innings for the Wolves the past two seasons but is still rounding back into shape from a shoulder injury.

Coupeville, with only three seniors and no juniors, is rebuilding, Rafferty said.

“I am definitely learning as much as they are,” she said. “I’m glad there is room for improvement.”

Coupeville (0-1) travels to Sequim (0-0) for a 4 p.m. game Wednesday, March 18.