LANGLEY — Pitching took center stage in the second-of-three series with Coupeville Wednesday.
The South Whidbey team had all the motivation in the world to beat the Wolves after losing the first game 4-3 at the bottom of a nine-inning heartbreak two days before. But the Falcon bats remained quiet in the 5-2 loss on a clear, cool and windy afternoon at home.
“Jon Adams threw the first four innings for the Falcons without giving up a run in his best performance of the season,” Falcon coach Dave Guetlin said.
In the Coupeville half of the fifth inning, however, Adams got into a jam after a controversial call at first base went Coupeville’s way.
Two hits and a double later found the
Falcons trailing 5-0.
Hunter Rawls then came in to relieve Adams and promptly got the last two batters of the inning out on strikes. Rawls then struck out four more batters over the last two innings for a total of six, in two and two-thirds inning’s work.
The Falcons came right back in the fifth to knock one run as Luke Hodson had a lead-off walk and got to third base after two passed balls. Aaron Mannie drove him in with a line drive to right field.
In the Falcon sixth inning, South Whidbey took advantage of another lead-off walk to Robert Kirby, who worked his way to third base and was driven in on a single up the middle by Eric Sparks.
Coupeville starter Jason Bagby kept the Falcons to only three hits.
South Whidbey has yet to post a win in the Cascade Conference and are just
1-8 overall. But next week’s opponents from Granite Falls are scarcely better with a
1-5 league record and Falcon players are sick of losing and making excuses.
First baseman Trapper Rawls still believes the team is improving, especially on the defense, but admitted that a powerful offense is a must.
“We only had three hits and we’re a young team, but we keep trying to the end, like we did on Monday,” he said.
Hodson agreed with his teammate.
“Hitting was weak but Jon and Hunter both did a good job keeping us in the game,” he said. “Maybe we need — or I need — to spend more time in practice with a live pitcher and not the machine.”
Hodson said he’s already trying to get ready for next week’s series with Granite Falls.
“A good practice, be prepared for whatever happens and stay focused,” Hodson said. “That’s what the coach preaches but we need to deliver on the field. It’s about time.”
Guetlin added his young team has the skills to be a genuine threat and he’s seen serious improvement the last several games.
