Tigers Aim To Polish Play On Diamond
GSL softball
If you hear the winds of change rattling through the Lewis and Clark softball backstop, the sound just might resemble a growl.
A Tiger growl, that is.
After years as one of the Greater Spokane League’s doormats, the infusion of an enthusiastic second-year coach, a new summer and fall program, and a revitalized attitude among the LC players could be enough to change that.
The Tigers were 3-13 a year ago, but many of their losses were late-game nail-biters.
“We had a better team last year than we’ve had in years,” said coach Dennis DeBill. “This year we’re better yet. But the rest of the league is better, too.”
Gonzaga Prep figures to be one of those teams in the hunt for the GSL’s top spots this year, with 10 players returning from the fourth-place squad last season.
Seven of the 10 started at some point last season, including a pair of strong pitchers, seniors Katie Shrope from the Valley and North Side hurler Ann Leonetti.
But challenging the other top schools, which again will include Mead and University, is going to take a team effort, said Prep coach Denise Schlepp.
“With so many kids coming back, each knows their role on the team,” said Schlepp. “That’s a huge part for each kid as the season starts.” When Laurie Henry coached the Ferris freshman softball team two years ago, the girls gave her a T-shirt at the end of the season emblazoned with “On To State In ‘98.”
Henry is back with the Ferris varsity this year after a season at her alma mater, Central Valley, and many of the Saxon players she coached as freshman would like to bump that T-shirt’s slogan up a year.
“I’ve been ready (for softball) since volleyball started this fall,” said Henry, also a volleyball and basketball assistant. “The potential is there with this team.
“The two things that mean more to me than anything are heart and hustle.”
A trio of sophomore sluggers returns to the Lewis and Clark lineup, including Sara Babin, a catcher, third baseman Janna Evans, and Candice Powers.
“You need a visa to catch the ball when Candice hits it,” Tiger coach DeBill said. “You’re leaving the country.”
Two junior pitchers, Katie Marquess and Heidi Randall, lead the Tigers on the mound, while junior first baseman Jill Boardman, junior second baseman Claudine Musgrove and shortstop Sara Giebel help round out the infield. Hayley Anderson, a junior, is the team’s utility player, and seniors Brooke Fredrickson and Martina Sokolis, and sophomore Katie Mahle will take over duty in the outfield.
“It’s just fun coaching these guys,” DeBill said. “Last year we beat a few teams who didn’t expect it. This year, we’re going to beat another couple of teams.”
Over at Gonzaga Prep, pitchers Shrope and Leonetti will alternate between the mound and first base. Six-foot-tall Theresa Palmer, a Valley resident and All-GSL selection a year ago, plays shortstop, leading an infield that includes South Hill senior Julie Weiskopf at second; the North Side’s Amy Willis, a junior third-base player; and 1996 All-GSL selection Brooke Eggar at catcher.
The North Side’s Kim McDonald, a senior who made the GSL second team last year, will continue at outfield, while Valley seniors Daria Toeh will play at the designated-hitter spot and Anna Agnew will slide into the outfield.
Ann McClain, a South Hill senior, completes the lineup in a utility role, alternating between catcher, the infield and the outfield.
“We’ve already spent time talking (about goals),” G-Prep coach Schlepp said. “Now it’s time to let it show.”
Ferris team members have been practicing hard up on top of the South Hill. In fact, they’ve been practicing until it’s so dark they can’t see the ball anymore, says coach Henry.
Come to think of it, that may be a phenomenon Saxon opponents will be getting acquainted with during daylight hours, as Ferris has two bright stars on the pitching mound.
Kaylene Fountain, a freshman, joins junior Kylee Curry on the giving end of the strike zone.
Four seniors return to the team, including second-base player Brooke Blevins and sluggers Christine Hertz, Christy Wilson and Christine Ganey.
Five juniors besides Curry are back, with Christy Martin at shortstop, Kim Domonouski at second or third, and Amanda Ovlen at third. Junior Jenny Lytle has catching duties, and Elysa Kuznetz will catch and play in the outfield.
In addition to Fountain, the team has one more freshman, utility player Colleen Melody.