Vallies does it all in NC victory

North Central likes its chances with pitcher Kelcie Vallies on the mound.

But despite a stalwart performance, her Indians trailed host University 2-1 entering the seventh inning of Friday’s Greater Spokane League softball game with second-place implications.

Someone needed to deliver a key hit. That someone? Kelcie Vallies.

Vallies gave the Indians a pick-me-up they needed by slashing a double down the third-base line into the left-field corner. That was followed by a deluge of Titans errors resulting in four runs and NC’s 5-2 victory.

It was the first sweep of U-Hi (8-3) in coach Herm Marshall’s memory and gave the Indians (10-1) a two-game lead in the second-place derby.

“It’s the first time since I’ve been coaching and I’ve been doing this close to 20 years,” Marshall said.

“This is a great win for our kids. This group is so loose. I think that’s what makes us tough.”

But their jaws had to be tightening as the game went on. Vallies dug herself a 2-0 first-inning hole with a spate of wildness.

NC got one run back in the top of the second. But despite outhitting U-Hi 5-2 and benefiting from a half-dozen walks, the Indians stranded 10 runners.

The Titans, as a result, remained ahead by a run and were three outs away from victory.

Vallies, who allowed one hit after the first inning and retired 18 of the final 21 batters she faced, was forced to take matters into her hands.

“I knew once we got one hit back, once someone got a hit, we’d do it,” she said.

That someone was her.

She scored on an error to tie the game. Following a sacrifice, three more errors and a walk resulted in three more runs – more than enough to win.

Vallies struck out nine batters over the final six innings.

“Kelcie keeps us in the game at all times, that’s the key,” said Marshall. “Those guys have been averaging 14 or 15 runs per game. As we all know good pitching stops good hitting.”

U-Hi had to rearrange its infield because starting shortstop Amanda Hickman sprained a thumb Wednesday.

“That kind of hurt us defensively,” said Titans coach Jon Schuh, “and from doing some of the things we wanted to.”

Still, the bottom line was the pitching of Vallies.

“She’s a good pitcher,” said Schuh. “She was good last year and is better this year. There are only two pitchers who throw hard in our league. That truly makes a big difference.”

“The other dominant pitcher, Sam Skillingstad, struck out 15 and allowed two hits in Shadle Park’s 5-0 victory at Central Valley. Skillingstad homered for the Highlanders (11-0) as did Tressa Predisik, her fifth of the year. She and Heather Jackson each had two hits. Genesse Aman had both hits for CV (6-6). … Mead (8-3) moved into a tie for third place with its 8-3 victory at Ferris. Stephanie Parker hit a two-run homer in the second. Melanie Mobley added a two-run single in the third and finished with three RBIs for the Panthers. Hillary Johnson homered for two of the Saxons’ (1-10) three runs in the fifth. … Winning pitcher Chelsea Gray smacked two triples and scored three runs as Mt. Spokane (4-7) won at home, 11-1 over Lewis and Clark (0-11). Trisha Griggs was also 2 for 3, both doubles, and drove in four runs. The Wildcats scored seven first-inning runs after falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first. … Molly Anderson hit a two-run home run in the first and host Gonzaga Prep (5-6) was off and running toward a five-inning, 11-1 victory over Rogers (3-9). Shelby Wilcoxen went 3 for 4 and finished with three RBIs and two runs.