Valley high schools poised for fruitful softball season

Joe Stanton took advantage of both a sunny day and a day off to get some work done on the Central Valley fast-pitch softball field.

“That’s the nice thing about our league,” the CV coach said. “We got all of our games in and get to take spring break off. I can get some work done on our field.”

The Bears, who return eight starters from a year ago, reached the break with a 5-3 record, 3-3 in Greater Spokane League games.

“I’d like to think that we let one or two games get away from us,” Stanton said. “I think we’ve squandered some opportunities.

“Our battery (first-team All-GSL catcher Macie Reynolds and pitcher Kelsey Gumm) is where I thought it would be and we have about as solid an infield as I’ve ever had. Our outfield has speed and and arms. Our bench may be a little thin, but it’s a quality product.”

Central Valley has already faced defending league champion Shadle Park as well as Lewis and Clark, Mead and North Central.

“We’ve faced some tough competition early,” Stanton said. “Lewis and Clark is a lot tougher than I thought they’d be. Their pitcher, Taylor John, has a lot more velocity than she had last year – she’s put in some hard work over the winter. Other than (Shadle Park junior) Jaya Allen, the best pitcher in the league, the most strikeouts we’ve given up are four.

“We’re hitting the ball. We’re just hitting it right at people.”

Unless you’re the Seattle Mariners, streaks like that eventually go away.

“I hope so,” Stanton laughed.

Kindel Moe singled to drive in Abi Horton from second base in the bottom of the seventh to give CV a 6-5 win over John and the Tigers in the GSL opener, and the Bears thumped Rogers (16-0) and beat Mead 5-1.

The Bears’ three losses have come against Shadle Park, Mt. Spokane and North Central. Of the league’s top contenders, the only team CV has yet to face is district rival University.

When the Bears and Titans, two of the GSL’s perennial powers, get together, anything can happen.

“We had a couple years there where we had their number,” Stanton said. “They had our number last year. They got us all three times we played them.

“Right now it looks like it’s going to be U-Hi’s hitting and Shadle Park’s pitching.”

Even if that’s the case, there may be room for a good-hitting team like CV to go a long way.

“In order to get to state you can’t be totally mesmerized by the pitching you see there,” Stanton said. “Yes, there are going to be some very good pitchers, Division I-caliber pitchers. But all those teams can hit. You’ve got to have your bats hot at the right time.”

Stanton believes his bats will do just that.

“We’ve got a good-hitting lineup and we’ve got some power,” he said. “Hannah Anderson transferred in last year from Selah and she’s a senior this year. She’s got plenty of gap power and she’s hitting in the No. 3 spot. Both our catcher, Macie (Reynolds), and our pitcher, Kelsey (Gumm), have the power to hit it out at any time and the rest of our lineup are all great contact hitters.”

University

The Titans return seven starters from a year ago and are solid challengers to the defending champion Highlanders.

Four returners were first-team All-GSL a year ago: utility player Kirsten Anstrom, corner infielder Gracee Dwyer, outfielder Alex Surby and utility player Courtney Awbery.

First baseman Brianna Hecker is a true power hitter and U-Hi always plays tough, hard-nosed defense.

Coach: Jon Schuh

Roster: Madison Thompson, 2B/PR, Fr; Hailey Howard, OF, Jr.; Gracee Dwyer, 3B/1B, So.; Sierra Apodaca, 2B/OF, So.; Makayla Marshall, SS/2B/3B, Fr.; Kailey Stanford, OF, So.; Brianna Hecker, 1B/DP, So.; Emily Stannard, C/OF, Fr.; Courtney Awbery, 1B/OF/U, So.; Rachel Hawley, P/1B, Sr.; Lexi Ivankovich, C/U, Sr.; Hannah Click, C/3B, So.; Alex Surby, OF, Jr.; Kirsten Anstrom, SS/2B/3B/P, Jr.

West Valley

There are advantages to being young, and the biggest one is the simple fact that young players get older and blossom with experience.

Coach Paul Cooley is ready to reap those exact benefits this season, with eight returning starters and an All-Great Northern League left side of his infield back from last year.

Shortstop Jordyn Tiffany and third baseman/catcher Morgan Ulbright anchor an infield that includes returning starter Kelsie Sinclair at second and Sydney Jones at first.

The Eagles are capable of scoring runs in bunches, putting up double-digit totals in four of their seven games, including an 18-4 drubbing of preseason league favorite Cheney.

In his 11 seasons at West Valley, Cooley is 134-83 with a pair of league titles.

Coach: Paul Cooley

Roster: Alisha Buffkin, LF/C, Sr.; Rylee McConnell, RF/Inf., Sr.; Jordyn Tiffany, SS/Inf., Sr.; Morgan Ulbright, LF/C/1B, Sr.; Sydney Jones, 1B/DH, Jr.; Jocelyn Taylor, P/Inf., Jr.; Sopyie Henson, P/OF/Inf., So.; Elle Hildahl, C/3B, So.; Julie Mitchell, OF/Inf., So.; Kelsie Sinclair 2B/OF, So.; Alex Dudley, 2B/OF.

East Valley

The Knights posted a pair of solid wins to start the season, drubbing Rogers 17-9 and beating Lewis and Clark 10-7, but have dropped five straight since despite being competitive against all but West Valley.

EV has gotten solid pitching performances early, but is also prone to giving up the big inning – including a six-run second in a 10-5 loss to Cheney Saturday.

Coach: Ray Riggin

Roster: Vanessa Pettersen, OF, Sr.; Jovita Pelfrey, Inf., Jr.; Lacey Gorman, OF, Jr.; Alyssa Glore, P/Inf., Sr.; Madrona Bietz, OF, So.; Sudney Martin, Util., Fr.; Georgia Robinson, Util., Sr.; Kylie Plopper, Inf., Jr.; Taylor Rebman, C/Inf., Sr.; Kendall Brown, OF, Sr.; Shaelen Thompson, P/Inf., Fr.; Abby Brake, P/Inf., Fr.; Maddie Camyn, Inf., Fr.