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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

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A new view of softball

Took a departure from the norm to watch Inland Empire League softball yesterday. While it's difficult to compare, teams from Lake City and Coeur d'Alene doubleheader seemed a little stronger than what I've witnessed in the Greater Spokane League. Maybe it was because of my unfamiliarity with them or that I was comparing two teams to the GSL as a whole. The teams had quite a few senior players and it appeared the pitchers threw a tad harder. That said, they were heavily into rise balls.

The Timberwolves Lela Work is headed to Boise State and Vikings Amber Coburn to Delaware State. Also headed to Boise is Viking shortstop Jessica Kraft.

 Several of our GSL players will face them when they go on to college, including current CCS players Heather Jackson and Ashley Fargher and CV's Gen Aman all headed to Weber State which is resurrecting its program. Shadle's Danielle Lynn and CV's Alexa Morales are signed with Portland State.

One of the more impressive players was catcher Jessica Ross from Lake City. Playing out of position and atypical for the spot because she's a lefty, Ross was steady behind the plate, showed a rocket arm and great bat. She proved a tough out, once putting a charge into a high riseball and later whacking a changeup for hits. She's headed for North Idaho College and will be a teammate of CV pitcher Alyssa Erickson who is my Prep Page feature in The Spokesman-Review this week.

Summer play has brought the area teams together, I'm sure. At any rate, coaches around here would probably like the chance at some non-league high school games as way to compare.



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