It seems almost unfair.
The Coupeville High School softball team lost to Klahowya 7-4 in a winner-to-state, loser-out district tournament game Saturday, May 19, in Lacey.
The two teams met in Olympic League play three times this season, and the Wolves won all three by a combined score of 36-12. The Eagles, however, pulled off the upset Saturday to finish second in the district playoffs and earn a state berth.
This is the second consecutive year the Wolves lost in a game to determine the final district berth into the state tournament.
Coupeville opened district play Friday with a 5-3 win over Vashon Island, a team that beat the Wolves 11-3 in a non-league game March 24.
The win over the Pirates put Coupeville in the championship game where the Wolves lost to Bellevue Christian 14-1, setting up the match with Klahowya.
“Tough season, but (I am) very proud of these players,” Coupeville coach Kevin McGranahan said. “They never quit no matter what the score was.
“Our bats went a little quiet at the wrong time but we kept going, giving it everything we had.
“The seniors all had great districts and should be proud of everything they accomplished as they were starters from day one in high school — not many can say that.”
Coupeville 5, Vashon Island 3
The Pirates (8-12) scored two runs in the first inning, then Coupeville pitcher Katrina McGranahan limited Vashon Island to one unearned run the rest of the way.
The Wolves picked up a run in the first when Lauren Rose led off with a single, was bunted to second by Scout Smith, stole third and scored on an error off the bat of McGranahan.
Coupeville took the lead for good with three runs in the third on singles by Rose and McGranahan, a double by Sarah Wright and an error.
Wright doubled again in the fifth and scored on a single by Hope Lodell, her second of the day.
McGranahan pitched a five-hitter with seven strikeouts and three walks.
Bellevue Christian 14, Coupeville 1 (5 innings)
The Vikings (17-5) put the game away with a nine-run fifth inning.
Coupeville collected its only run in the second inning when Chelsea Prescott reached on an error and eventually scored on a passed ball.
Katie Pippel pitched a no-hitter for BC, striking out three and walking two.
Klahowya 7, Coupeville 4
With game tied at 2, the Eagles (12-7) scored three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead and then tacked on two security runs in the seventh.
Coupeville rallied for two runs in the bottom of the seventh but couldn’t catch Klahowya.
After the Eagles scored twice in the first inning, the Wolves countered by scoring once in the bottom half of the inning. Smith singled and scored on McGranahan’s double.
Coupeville (12-9) tied the game with a run in the fourth. Prescott walked then scored with the help of an error and Coral Caveness’s base hit.
In the seventh, a single by Caveness, a double by Rose and a base hit from McGranahan produced the final two runs.
