Rusty after a long layoff, the Coupeville High School summer baseball team dropped all four of its games at the Don Daniels Tournament in Anacortes June 16-18.
The Wolves hadn’t played since the end of the high school season six weeks ago.
“We had a lot to work around this weekend,” coach Chris Smith said. “With player availability, position rearranging among other things, but we pulled it off and we played.
“We had players preparing to leave for Costa Rica, prior commitments, family commitments and injury to work around. These were some big challenges, and, overall as a team, we just couldn’t quite overcome them to pull off a W.”
On the positive side, Smith said, some of the players “seized the opportunity and stood up to the challenge.”
Several of the “diamonds in the rough” who stood out, according to Smith, were Kyle Rockwell, Gavin Knoblich and Nick Etzell.
“Offensively, I am pleased with our numbers,” Smith said. “Everyone in the lineup had a hit and/or contributed somehow offensively.”
Six players hit over .300 for the tournament: Etzell, .571; Hunter Smith, .555; Jake Hoagland, .500; Matt Hilborn, .429; Taylor Consford, .400; and Jonathan Thurston, .333.
The Wolves will play in at least one more tournament, going to Gray’s Harbor June 30 to July 3.
Oak Harbor 6, Coupeville 5
The Wolves rallied for five runs in the sixth inning but couldn’t quite catch the Wildcats.
Hunter Smith ripped three hits, including a double. Consford added a pair of hits, while Dane Lucero, Hilborn, Jake Pease, Hoagland and Jake Zettle all singled.
Lake Stevens 20, Coupeville 2
Lake Stevens scored 10 runs in the first inning on the way to the lopsided win.
Smith, Consford and Etzell each singled twice for the Wolves. Hilborn and Thurston also had base hits.
Anacortes 2, Coupeville 1
The Wolves scored in the sixth to make it 2-1 and then got their leadoff hitter aboard in the seventh but couldn’t complete the comeback.
Coupeville collected only four base hits, singles by Smith, Lucero, Etzell and Thurston.
Lucero pitched a five-hitter for the Wolves.
Meridian 16, Coupeville 7
Coupeville scored six runs in the second inning but Meridian scored multiple runs in all but one inning to secure the win.
Joey Lippo, Consford, Etzell, Pease, Hoagland and Knoblich all singled for the Wolves.
