Frontier League Competition Tough For Riverside Girl’s Team

The loss of Riverside High’s star pitcher two years ago to the Greater Spokane League couldn’t have come at a worse time for softball coach Joe Peterson.

The Rams moved into the Frontier League right after and have since struggled to compete.

“We can’t play with West Valley, Colville or East Valley,” Peterson said. “The Frontier is so tough we’re not in it.”

But there’s good news on the horizon. Next year, Riverside is in the AA Greater Northern League and there are 30 freshmen and sophomores in the program, with another good class on the horizon.

“We’ll be back where we belong and be more competitive,” said Peterson.

For now, most of last year’s team returns, including senior Tiffany McMurphy and sophomore Katrina Carter at pitcher.

Second-team all-leaguer Candi Russell at shortstop and centerfielder Erin Leighton are the team’s only other seniors.

Junior letter winners are catcherinfield-outfielders Brandi Barnes and Lacey Darby, third-baseman Brianna Mueller and outfielder Jenny Tolbert.

Sophomore newcomers are first basemen-utility players Jackie Hattenburg and Audra Karling.

“We have a bunch of long ball hitters and will die by that,” said Peterson. “It’s going to be tough.”

Shortstop woes plague NEA teams

Shortstop, expected to be in good hands this season at Deer Park and Lakeside, is suddenly an area of concern for the teams’ softball coaches.

Deer Park’s Jaime Stone, also a gifted distance runner, has shifted her attention to track. Lakeside’s Nikki Petticrew will move to pitcher.

Still, Stag coach Lisa Collins would like a repeat of last year’s third-place Northeast A League finish.

“We hope so,” said coach Lisa Collins. “We lost our outfield because we were all seniors. That’s probably one of our weakest areas. Losing Jaime is going to hurt.”

Lakeside coach Mary McAdam isn’t optimistic about her team’s chances.

“There’s not a lot I want to talk about,” she said. “We’re almost a brand new team and real young.”

Returning for Deer Park are senior first baseman Jennifer Baker, third baseman Heather Sims, catcher Holly Schuler and junior second baseman Amanda Davis.

Sophomore veterans are shortstop Breanne Smith, once she’s off injured reserve, pitcher Jenna Kreiger and pitcher-shortstop Jennilee Williams.

Outfielders will come from seniors Sara Massendar, Sarah Tedrow, sophomores Desirae McLuen, Angel Ebel, Smith or freshman Kari Ann Hardy.

“I think we’re going to do well,” said Collins. “The young blood still doesn’t know the game real well, but we have enough talent to be pretty competitive.”

Lakeside veterans include sophomore Petticrew, seniors, all-league outfielder Sara Schumacher, Alisa Moriarty at third base, Rae Bowell at first and junior Brooke Hamilton at second base.

The rest of the team is made up of freshmen and sophomores, including varsity returnee Jenna Shasky in the outfield.

The move of Petticrew opens up shortstop, possibly for freshman Megan Broughton. Fellow frosh are outfielders Bonnie Severin, Stacia Feltes, Sammy Kiehn or sophomore Melanie Castleman.

, DataTimes