Pierce’s 10th-Inning Hit Lifts U-Hi Past Mead

Kelly Pierce’s opportunity finally came during a game in which every opportunity counted.

Pierce’s two-out, two-strike single to left-center scored Megan Owen from second base Tuesday as University outlasted Mead 2-1 in 10 innings.

The extended game, matching Greater Spokane League elite softball pitchers Janessa Karstens of Mead and Cheryl Andrizzi of U-Hi, sent the Titans (4-1, 3-0) into first place alone. Mead (3-1, 2-1) dropped into a five-way tie for second place.

U-Hi has won 20 consecutive GSL games.

Karstens (3-1) and Andrizzi (4-0) have had many chances to shine during the last three years, but fellow senior Pierce needed her shot.

Pierce, a right fielder, missed most of last season after she broke her wrist while diving for a fly ball against Ferris.

Until the 10th inning she was 0 for 3 against Karstens and committed an error in the second inning that factored into Mead’s lone run.

“I felt really bad, so I just wanted a chance to contribute,” Pierce said.

The chance came after Owen reached second base on a one-out infield single and Mandy Christensen’s sacrifice bunt. “I knew once it went off the bat it was a clean hit,” Pierce said. “I’ve played against (Karstens) in the past but haven’t had much success.”

Karstens struck out eight and allowed six singles. Andrizzi fanned 10 and gave up seven hits, three to Missy Bonanno. Neither pitcher had a walk.

Mead’s Mackenzie Stewart doubled home Bonanno in the second. Bonanno singled with one out and reached second on Pierce’s error.

U-Hi tied the game in the second, on Katy Oglesbee’s RBI grounder. Andrizzi led off with a single, and pinch-runner Jodi Schab, moved into position on a sacrifice bunt and passed ball.

Andrizzi stranded Panthers at second and third base in the ninth with a strikeout and flyout.

Also in the GSL

Tuesday’s scores were: Ferris 3, Shadle Park 2; Lewis and Clark 5, Central Valley 2; Gonzaga Prep 6, Mt. Spokane 3; and Rogers 10, North Central 0.

At Shadle Park, Amanda Oveln tripled home two runs in the second as Ferris (1-4, 1-2) knocked the Highlanders (2-2, 2-1) out of first place. Shadle’s Juliana Cook hit a solo homer in the sixth, her second in five days.

At CV, Sarah Travis singled, doubled and drove in two runs as LC (2-2, 2-1) defeated the Bears (2-3, 1-2).

At G-Prep, freshman Kris Leonetti hit a two-run homer in the fifth and finished 3 for 3, with a triple, as the Bullpups (3-2, 2-1) defeated Mt. Spokane (0-4, 0-3). Kirsten Schafer relieved Monica Mark (3-1) in the fifth to strike out the final two batters.

At NC, Angel Fairbanks’ three-run triple during a five-run fourth helped Rogers (2-2, 2-1) past the Indians (0-4, 0-3). Crystal Perry added a two-run double in the third to support Jamie Merrill, who allowed just Stacey Fisher’s single in five innings.

Jenna Krieger (2-0) threw a three-hitter as Deer Park (3-0) defeated visiting Colfax 3-1 for a sweep of a Great Northern League doubleheader.

Jill Watts had an RBI triple in the second game for the Stags, who moved into first place alone. DP’s Breanne Smith went 4 for 4, with three RBIs, and winning pitcher Jenilee Williams scored four times in the opener, a 10-5 victory. Colfax is 0-2.

Elsewhere, Tarrah Brown (1-0) threw four innings of no-hit ball and Amber Puett had two hits and two RBIs to lead Colville (1-0) to an 11-1 win over visiting Chewelah (1-2).

GSL baseball

Reliever Joe Paventy (1-0) pitched three scoreless innings as CV (4-1, 3-0) defeated visiting LC 10-5 to take over first place by itself.

LC (4-1, 2-1) led 4-1 after Chris Wheaton’s third-inning grand slam, his fourth homer of the year. Mike Tasca had a two-run single in the fourth, and Chad Adamson added RBI singles in the fourth and fifth as the Bears rallied.

Also in the GSL, it was: Mt. Spokane 7, G-Prep 3; Ferris 24, Shadle 0; Mead 6, U-Hi 5; and Rogers 7, NC 4.

Chris Hughbanks hit a three-run homer in the top of the seventh as visiting Mt. Spokane (1-4, 1-2) picked up its first win in league history and in the process knocked G-Prep (2-3, 2-1) out of first place. The Wildcats’ Cole Young (1-1) pitched five strong innings. Derek Pegg had two hits, including a double, for the Bullpups.

At Shadle Park, Eric Sandberg (1-1) and Adam Oakley combined on a five-inning, no-hitter as Ferris (3-2, 2-1) stomped the Highlanders (1-4, 0-3). Brian Munhall hit his third homer for Ferris, Sandberg his second.

At U-Hi, Kyle Ellenz led off the game with his first homer and Dan Thigpen (1-0) pitched six innings for the win as Mead (3-2, 2-1) defeated the Titans (1-4, 1-2). The Panthers scored twice in the sixth on an outfield error. Josh Sheffield hit two homers, including a three-run shot in the fourth, and Brandon Florence also homered for U-Hi.

At NC, Taylor West (1-2) struck out seven and Mike Cook had a two-run single in the fifth as Rogers (3-2, 2-1) defeated the Indians (1-3, 0-3).

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