An 11-run third inning blasted the Coupeville High School baseball team past visiting Sultan in the Wolves’ 13-2 win in five innings Monday, April 15.

The victory lifted Coupeville into fourth place, the final playoff spot, with five games remaining.

The Wolves (2-8, 2-12) play at Sultan at 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 17, and then finish the series with the Turks (1-8, 1-13) at 4 p.m. Friday, April 19, in Coupeville.

Coupeville came into last Friday’s game with South Whidbey winless and averaging barely one run per game.

The offensive, which coach Chris Smith said was much better than it was showing, perked up in a 4-3 comeback win over the Falcons and then erupted for 13 runs in the Sultan romp.

Sultan put two runs on the board in the top of the first inning, then Coupeville pitcher Dane Lucero blanked the Turks the rest of the way. The senior finished with a three-hitter and eight strikeouts.

The Wolves scored once in the bottom of the first when Jake Pease singled with two outs and then was forced home after three consecutive walks.

Coupeville tied the game in the second when Matt Hilborn singled with two outs, stole second and scored on Hawthorne Wolfe’s base hit.

In the big third inning, the Wolves blended several walks, errors, a double by Pease, two singles from Daniel Olson and base hits from Lucero, Gavin Knoblich and Cody Roberts for the 11 runs.

Gavin Knoblich scores a run for the Wolves. (Photo by Karen Carlson)