Bullpups get long-awaited win over University

Gonzaga Prep pulled the biggest surprise of the young Greater Spokane League season by defeating defending league champion University 2-0 on March 28 at G-Prep.

Junior Selena Rima pitched a three-hitter and struck out 17 in what first-year coach Eric Ptolemy heard was the Bullpups’ first win over the Titans in 13 years.

The victory gave a boost to a G-Prep program that had to drop its junior varsity this season because of low turnout.

“It’s been a tough year for Prep,” Ptolemy said. “This is a big pick-me-up.”

Reigning GSL Most Valuable Player Brittany Hecker also threw a three-hitter in the game, but the Bullpups manufactured two runs off her without a big hit. G-Prep also played errorless ball.

“I think (the Titans) were kind of shaken up,” Ptolemy said. “You could see their frustration.”

Ptolemy, from Denver, attended Gonzaga University and has a baseball background. He said G-Prep’s administration took a “leap of faith” in hiring him and he’s made sure to surround himself with good help.

Rima is averaging 11-12 strikeouts per game, Ptolemy said. Her father, Jeff, is one of Ptolemy’s assistants.

Ptolemy said it’s his goal to improve the softball culture at G-Prep. Freshmen make up one-third of his roster.

Albertsons twin threats

Junior twins Kayla and Brooke Albertson have both sides of the plate covered for defending 5A State champion Coeur d’Alene.

Kayla, a first baseman/pitcher who bats right, has five home runs and Brooke, a left-handed third baseman/outfielder, has four homers in the Vikings’ first six games.

The twins have homered in the same inning during games against Moscow and Mountain View. CdA (5-1) hit 10 homers during a twin bill sweep of Moscow, including three by junior OF Zoe Clark.

“Right now, it’s probably the best-hitting team I’ve coached and I’ve been doing this for 20 years,” said Vikings coach Larry Bieber, who is two wins shy of 400 for his career.

The Vikings finished 2-1 at last week’s Idaho Sporting Goods Tournament in Boise, defeating Rigby 11-1 and Meridian 9-0 but dropping a 4-3 game against Mountain View. The tourney had a time limit of 1 hour, 40 minutes per game, so CdA didn’t bat in the seventh against Mountain View.

Kayla is also 2-0 on the mound, spelling ace Lindsie Scholwinski (3-1).

Other highlights

Colville junior McKenna Cabbage (6-1) pitched her fourth consecutive shutout on Tuesday, a two-hitter against Pullman. Cabbage has allowed six hits during the four-game streak, pitching one-hitters against Clarkston and West Valley. … East Valley senior infielder Kaileene Krauth hit her third homer of the season Tuesday against Clarkston. … Colfax sophomore Erica Eng hit a grand slam and pitched a five-inning no-hitter during the first game of a doubleheader sweep against Lind-Ritzville/Sprague on Tuesday.