U-Hi, CV Fielding New Talent

A year ago both University and Central Valley represented the Greater Spokane League in the State AAA softball tournament.

Both teams have new, youthful lineups, but coaches expect to be in the tourney picture again.

“I’m hoping to be in the top two,” said ever-optimistic Titan coach Ken Van Sickle. “We’re a real young, but talented group.”

His Titans graduated eight starters from last year’s league champions.

Had Central Valley not lost games to the league’s eighth- and ninth-place finishers, the Bears would have tied for the title last year.

Instead, they went from fourth place to state. Even with only five returnees, coach Kenny Haynes would like to do so again.

“I feel good about our personnel,” he said. “The bottom line is we have new faces and young players. It depends upon how they mature.”

Top to bottom, GSL softball is improved. Mead is favored, but everyone else has quality pitching and veteran lineups.

One of those, Gonzaga Prep, is at U-Hi today at 3:30 p.m. when league competition begins.

Titans build with youth

Only one regular, junior second baseman Megan Mertens, is back from last year’s state tournament qualifier.

There are only two seniors on the team, shortstop Lisa Muroya and catcher Jamie Schab.

Junior pitcher Cheryl Andrizzi, however, was pressed into action at season’s end and did fine after U-Hi’s starter was injured.

“We have three capable pitchers,” said Van Sickle.

The other two are juniors Julia Yoke and incoming sophomore Nicki Meyer.

Yoke, from last year’s 15-1 junior varsity team, also plays centerfield.

Meyer and fellow sophomore, Mandy Christensen, who catches, are also third-base prospects.

The rest of the team is made up of juniors.

Katy Oglesbee plays catcher and first base. Courtney Nollmeyer is also a first baseman and Crystal Otterson a middle infielder.

Jen Madsen, Kelly Pierce and Royann Thomas are other outfielders

Despite the youth, finishing among the top four is realistic, said Van Sickle.

“A lot has to do with team chemistry. With last year’s seniors there was a lot of closeness,” said Van Sickle.

Bears want duplicate year

Central Valley peaked at the end of last year and Haynes can see his new-look team doing the same.

“With time and cultivating, this will be a good club,” he said.

Shortstop Jessica Sackmann has a shoulder injury and will miss two weeks necessitating some juggling.

But pitcher Tori Mills is back, along with second baseman Amanda Del Mese and left fielder Christy Schmidt.

Senior Jen Shields, orginally ticketed for third base, will play short until Sackmann returns. In her place is sophomore Kristin Heuett, who Haynes figured on as designated hitter.

Senior Kelly Heuett, Kristin’s sister, moves from DH to first base.

“We were grooming her for that so she’s not going in cold,” said Haynes.

Sophomore Dawn Stangland is CV’s new catcher. And sophomore Angie Decker provides pitching depth.

Other outfielders are junior Lorissa Rezin in center, senior Shannon Pierce or junior Brittany Beasley-Davis in right.

Bullpups should be in hunt

Gonzaga Prep figures to be one of the teams in the hunt for the GSL’s top spots this year, with 10 senior players returning from the fourth-place squad last season.

“With so many kids coming back, each knows their role on the team,” said coach Denise Schlepp.

Seven of the 10 started at some point last season, including several Valley athletes.

They are pitcher Katie Shrope, All-GSL shortstop Theresa Palmer, second baseman Julie Weiskopf designated hitter Daria Toth, and utility player Ann McClain.

Others back are pitcher Ann Leonetti, junior third baseman Amy Willis, All-GSL senior catcher Brooke Eggar and outfielders Anna Agnew and Kim McDonald, who made the GSL second team last year.

“We’ve already spent time talking (about goals),” G-Prep coach Schlepp said. “Now it’s time to let it show.”

, DataTimes