GSL fastpitch race tightens heading into final day of play

Revenge can be so sweet.

It seems like all season Shadle Park has been cornered into third place in the Greater Spokane League Standings, an unfamiliar spot for a team that led the league the past two seasons.

The Highlanders only lost three games this year, but they still remained a few steps behind University and Mt. Spokane for most of the season.

Shadle Park couldn’t put an end to University’s winning streak when they fell to the Titans 5-3 on April 10. That defeat was one of several losses the Titans delivered to a disappointed opponent this season to keep their record perfect.

Until last week.

The Highlanders finally got their chance to dish out some payback when they handed University its first loss on April 28. Shadle Park piled on the runs and toppled the Titans 9-3.

“We didn’t quite put it together against U-Hi the first time,” Shadle Park coach Guy Perham said. “We had our opportunities and we didn’t get it done.”

That wasn’t the case last week. The Highlanders racked up 11 hits against University’s Kirsten Anstrom and held the Titans to six hits. Shadle Park’s Kaitlyn Scoble took the reins at the plate, going 4 for 4, and scoring all four times.

One of those scoring moments came when she was on second and Shadle Park pitcher Jaya Allen smacked her seventh homer of the season.

Shadle Park went on to beat its next two opponents – North Central and Ferris – while piling up 50 runs.

Ahead of Friday’s season finale against Mead, the Highlanders (14-3) are tied for second in the standings with Mt. Spokane (14-3) after the Wildcats fell twice this week.

University (15-2) lost again on Thursday when Central Valley topped the Titans 7-4. University has held onto its top spot, with only a one-game lead over Mt. Spokane and Shadle Park. University plays Rogers on Friday.

Ferris breaks through

Ferris had its own streak to snap last week.

The Saxons lost 15 straight games before finally taking home a win on May 28 when they beat North Central 9-0.

Ferris scored all nine of its runs in the first four innings and notched 10 hits, one shy of a season-high. North Central was held to six hits.

Ferris lost its next three games against Central Valley, West Valley and Shadle Park, all by significantly large margins.

The Saxons remain in last place, behind North Central. Ferris will face Mt. Spokane in its season finale Friday.

League leaders

On May 28, Central Valley’s Kelsey Gumm and Mt. Spokane’s Jesse Dupuis were tied with lowest earned-run average (1.43) in the GSL. Shadle Park’s Jaya Allen sat in third with a 2.00 ERA. Kirsten Anstrom (U-Hi) was fourth at 2.28.

Allen still led the league at the plate with a .600 batting average. Mead’s Meredith Clark was second with a .571 batting average.

Clark hit her eighth home run and passed Allen (7) in the ledger. Allen held the top spot for the majority of the season.

Mt. Spokane’s Hannah Bell tied Allen (29) for the most RBIs heading into games this week. Bell also holds the third highest batting average (.533) in the GSL.