Highlanders Pitch Drama Into Gsl Baseball Picture
Little could anyone have anticipated the impact of Tuesday’s Greater Spokane League baseball game between Shadle Park and Mead. The Highlanders had graduated the bulk of last year’s regional qualifying lineup and were not necessarily expected to contend this year.
But here they were, unbeaten after coming from behind for the fourth time in as many games, and facing of the preseason favorites.
Shadle’s previous game, a 3-2 win on April 3 at Central Valley, typified the year.
“Everything has been decided from the fifth inning on,” said Shadle coach Ron Brooks. “I’m surprised (by the record) and very proud of them.”
Shadle trailed the Bears 2-0 in the sixth inning before winning 3-2 in the seventh.
“We never say die,” said Matt Liezen, the only Highlander pitcher with varsity experience.
Teammate Joe Walters had three hits, giving him seven for the year. He doubled in the winning run and said it was a matter of “clutching up with people on base.”
An inning earlier, teammate Josh Gilbert had tied the game with a tworun single.
“Part of it is the carry-over effect,” said Brooks. “We have found a way to get something done. Last year it was almost every day.”
The magic disappeared Tuesday at Mead (4-1) where Liezen allowed only two hits but lost for the first time in three outings.
The Panthers’ 5-2 win over Shadle created a virtual three-way tie for the GSL lead with a games against 3-2 University and 5-1 Gonzaga Prep tomorrow.
Their lone loss this year came in extra innings.
Leaders go toe-to-toe
Unbeaten leaders in GSL softball slug it out today.
Defending champion Mead risks its perfect record at 3:45 p.m. when the Panthers travel to University.
Both teams are 5-0 after Tuesday’s wins. The young Mead team is averaging 7.5 runs per game and has been led offensively by Kristin Fuller.
Fuller has seven hits, including a home run. She singled and scored the winning run in a pivotal 2-1 win over North Central the second game of the season.
Junior Katrina Morton has six hits, including a triple against NC.
, DataTimes