Some losses are easier to take than others, and such was the case when Coupeville High School fell 5-3 to visiting Friday Harbor in a nonleague baseball game Saturday, April 18.

“As losses go, this was one that really doesn’t affect us mentally, and a lot of young kids got to step up and played very well for us,” coach Willies Smith said. “Some great stuff from our young guys.”

Freshman Cameron Toomey-Stout received his first start, taking over for Kyle Bodamer, who was hampered by a hamstring injury; freshman Julian Welling started at third base; sophomore Gabe Wynn recorded his first varsity hit; freshman Joey Lippo, in his first varsity appearance, ripped a line drive out and turned in a nice defensive play; and freshman Hunter Smith made his mound debut and threw well, according to coach Smith.

Coupeville scored twice in the first inning. Josh Bayne singled and C.J. Smith walked. After a fielder’s choice and steal, an error accounted for the runs.

Aaron Curtin started the third with a single and came around to score on an error, ground out and balk.

Curtin pitched the first four innings, blanking the Wolverines on two hits and seven strikeouts. Willie Smith pulled Curtin after the fourth to keep is ace fresh for Tuesday’s league game with Klahowya.

Walks and errors allowed Friday Harbor to score five runs in the fifth inning. Four of the first seven hitters received walks; two the walks forced in runs. Two errors followed and allowed three more runs to score.

Two excellent defensive plays saved Friday Harbor in the bottom of the fourth. A running catch in the right field gap robbed Hunter Smith of a double, and Lippo smacked a liner that was snared by the Wolverine third baseman, who then doubled a runner off first.

Hunter Smith pitched the final two innings for Coupeville, retiring all six batters, including fanning two.

The Wolves put the tying run on in the seventh, but Curtin’s bullet directly at the right fielder ended the game.

“One bad inning does us in and is a good reminder that it only takes one inning in this game,” coach Smith said. “But, I feel real confident and relaxed heading into the Klahowya game on Tuesday.”

The Eagles (1-0, 10-0) are ranked No. 1 in the coaches’ 1A poll, while Coupeville (2-0, 6-5) holds the early conference league.

Klahowya and Coupeville meet at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in Silverdale.

(Shortstop Hunter Smith avoids a Friday Harbor slide in an attempt to turn a double play. Photo by John Fisken.)