Four years on varsity, Couture the perfect spark plug for Cheboygan softball team
CHEBOYGAN – It’s was a tight clash in the third inning of Cheboygan softball’s first game against Traverse City West on a chilly Monday in April.
Deadlocked at 1-1 with two outs, the Chiefs were looking to take control against the Titans, a strong Class A opponent. Up steps senior Marley Couture, a four-year player in the program hungry to provide the Chiefs with a clutch hit, something she’s been known for during her career.
Without hesitation, Couture’s confidence shows as she smacks a TCW pitch up the middle that scores two runners for a 3-1 Cheboygan lead. More importantly, it hands all momentum to the Chiefs, who go on to win convincingly and later sweep the doubleheader with a lopsided triumph.
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“(Those situations) are really stressful, but I know that if I can get it going, then it’s really easy for the whole team to get up and get into a rhythm,” Couture said.
When she was moved up to varsity years ago, Couture was one nervous freshman. But right along for the ride with her was then-freshman Libby VanFleet, now the team’s top pitcher. It wasn’t easy for either at the beginning, but they formed a special bond and have been Cheboygan’s main pitcher-catcher duo in recent years. Now, they'll finish their high school careers together as seniors.
“It’s just nice to be able to play all four years with her,” Couture said of her longtime teammate. “We’re just a dynamic duo.”
As Cheboygan’s starting catcher throughout most of her career, Couture has established herself as of the main leaders on the squad, while earning All-Straits Area Conference honors in the process. When you’ve delivered as many clutch plays and hits as she's done, it’s a true sign of excellent leadership.
“She brings a lot of energy to the team, she’s that type of person, but also in times she'll be like, ‘All right, let’s go,’” VanFleet said of Couture.
The high school career feels like it’s gone by in a flash for Couture, one of many talented seniors on the Cheboygan team. But it wasn’t until middle school that she found a love for the catcher spot. On varsity, she’s been Catcher 1 in Cheboygan and impressed plenty the entire way.
“I can remember her first time as a catcher, we brought her up as a freshman, and she was struggling with blocking the ball and that – but then she came up and hit her first home run,” Cheboygan coach Mike LaLonde recalled. “From then on, she settled right down and turned into a great catcher. She’s a clutch hitter who comes up with some big hits. Line drives, right center field is her alley to hit. She’s a good defensive player.
“She’s been a great player in this program.”
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While it’s been a fun four-year journey, high school is nearly over for Couture, who’s made the most and then some on the softball field.
What will she miss the most? You guessed it, that beautiful team chemistry she's built with a group of senior teammates she's spent many summers and springs playing the game with.
“I grew up playing with all of them,” Couture said. “I played (Cheboygan) Chaos travel with the whole team, basically, and I’ve been on all stars with all these girls. It’s just been great. These girls, they’re like my family.
“I will definitely be full of tears on senior night.”
Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Key in the clutch, Couture wrapping up impressive Cheboygan softball career
