Prep’s Coach Had Successful Past At Rogers

When Rogers and Gonzaga Prep play each other in Greater Spokane League softball on April 17, Paul Cooley will feel pangs.

Gonzaga Prep’s new coach will face his old team, the Pirates, whom he coached successfully for years and took to the state finals in 1995.

Retired from teaching at Rogers, Cooley is now supervising student teachers for Gonzaga University.

“It’s one of those things where I wanted to stay involved in coaching, didn’t want to move and this came up,” said Cooley.

He pointed out that while Prep will struggle this year, he left a full cupboard at Rogers.

Eight regulars are back for the new coach, Karen MacDonald.

MacDonald isn’t the only new coach. John Barrington, who spent years coaching baseball in the Mead district, takes over for the Panthers.

Raeleen Epperson is the coach for new entrant Mt. Spokane High.

Mead, third in league, Rogers and Shadle Park would like to duplicate last year’s playoff performances. North Central with several players back, expects improvement.

Pitching eases things

Barrington switched from baseball to softball for a change of pace.

He discovered one thing; good pitching can ease stress.

Janessa Karstens, a two-time All-GSL hurler-infielder, will anchor Mead’s team.

“She’s someone you can build a team around,” Barrington said. “My plan is she won’t come off the field.”

Junior Nicole Naslund, sophomores Deanna Karstens, Janessa’s sister, and Dawnice Fountain keep pitching strong at Mead for the forseeable future.

Missy Bonnano returns at catcher, Natalie Kehl at third base, Chelsea Hanson in the outfield, Rechelle Miller at second or in the outfield, and MacKenzie Stewart at first.

Other seniors are Katie Johnson at third, Jenifer Morrow, Kortney Stewart and Raquel Gaston in the outfield, Keri Wagner at shortstop and Sarah Bowman at third. Juniors are Ashlie Hagen, at catcher and second base and Amy Kuhta at first.

“Short-term I’m expecting a good team competing for the top,” said Barrington. “I think I walked into a pretty good deal this year.”

Pirates expect to challenge

A former assistant coach, MacDonald said she’s been waiting for her chance to head a program.

“What I’m seeing is a team extremely focused to the point they’re willing to put a lot of extra time in,” she said. “They don’t want to leave.”

Rogers had only three seniors last year. Junior Crystal Perry returns at shortstop. Seniors Angel Fairbanks and Monica Abrahamson return in centerfield and first base respectively.

Senior Kim Jensen returns to the outfield, Malea Wright is a third base-designated hitter and sophomore Barb Draine moves to second base.

Additionally, senior Tara Bertholf and sophomore Jamie Merrill give the team experienced pitching.

Newcomers are junior third baseman Lindsey Killmer, junior catcher Courtney Davis and sophomore Kendal Jarrad, senior Melissa Redmond and junior Molly Abrahamson in the outfield.

“We’ll be right there,” said MacDonald. “And it’s going to take all 13 to get the job done.”

Core players back at Shadle

The core of Shadle Park’s softball team, which made the playoffs, is back.

“They are excited about this year,” said coach Teresa Hansen. “The seniors should set the precedent.”

Seniors Sarah Harchuck, back at shortstop, Leslie Brown and Tara Buckley in the outfield, and Amber Mulvey at third base, are veterans.

Pitcher Rachelle Stockman, a junior veteran will be backed by freshman Jessica Murray. The two will likely share first base.

And Dorthea Gooch, a sophomore, moves from first base to catcher.

Also on the team are freshman Tara Malmquist and senior Jennifer Lantz in the outfield. Juniors Aubrie Caldwell, Kirstin Lynn, Kim Palmer and Juliana Cook are infield candidates.

“We’re looking forward to this year,” said Hansen for her team. “We have high hopes.”

Shadle is practicing at and will play at Franklin Park this year while the school softball field is being renovated.

Bullpups have building to do

A veteran team last year, Gonzaga struggled to a 3-13 record. Cooley is starting anew.

“It’s a real tough situation,” he said. “We don’t have anybody back.”

Only two players return, there are no experienced pitchers, but a decent freshman group, he said.

“We’ll struggle this year, but in two years will be in good shape,” said Cooley, who is enjoying his new job.

Senior All-GSL centerfielder Kim McDonald and junior leftfielder Katie Bowles are the returnees.

Newcomers include sophomore pitchers Jessica Pankratz, junior Kirsten Schafer, seniors Monica Mark and Lisa Thorne, who could work by committee.

Another sophomore, Amy Harrell, or junior Carly Adolfson will catch.

First base is either freshman Kris Leonetti or junior Rebecca Dollar. Middle infielders are sophomore Megan McDonald and junior Allison Daus. Sophomore Katie McNallan and senior Annie Bowman are other infield prospects.

At third base are either sophomore Katie McIntyre or senior Janna Bacon.

Other outfielders are juniors Cori Dolan, Jaime Weir and Thorne.

Veteran NC seeks to rebound

Two years after being a regional qualifier, then seeing their team decimated by graduation and transfers, NC seeks to rebound.

“We have a lot of returners with some experience,” said coach Herm Marshall. “Hopefully we’ll compete a little better this year.”

Sophomore Rachae Bertholf is at pitcher and her backup last year, Angie Westland will move to the outfield.

Back are junior first baseman Alice Stearns and senior second baseman Melissa Massey.

Juniors Amber Carter, third base, and Heather Honeycutt, outfield, also are back as is Stacey Fisher, who switches from catcher to the outfield.

Newcomers are junior shortstop Nicole Zinecker, pitcher Lisette Terry, outfielder Donna Reynolds, infielder Amanda Chase and freshman catcher Kim Bowser.

“We’re a better team defensively and our pitching should be able to keep us in ball games,” said Marshall. “We have to improve a lot offensively.”

Sophomores dominate Mt. Spokane

Epperson has known for two years that she would be Mt. Spokane’s head softball coach.

For eight years she coached junior varsity and assisted varsity for one season at Mead.

“Of all the girls who played for me last year,” Epperson said, “not one came over here.”

The Wildcats will field a team of 11 sophomores and three juniors. Most have club experience.

“They’re great and work hard,” said Epperson. “So far it’s a lot of fun.”

Pitchers are sophomores Jodi Hultquist and Cassie DeFreese. Catcher Terah Summers, a sophomore who attends Northwest Christian, played with Hultquist in summer softball.

Sophomores at first base are Shawna Powell and Melissa Gibby. Sophomores Elena Gee and Char McGee play second and McGee will be at shortstop when Hultquist is pitching.

Third basemen are sophomores Jami Kenna and DeFreese.

Outfield is up for grabs among six players. They include sophomores Morgan Cerenzia, Amy Weatherman, Lindsay Johnson and juniors Tara Whittaker, Amy Dunham and Deanna Hall.

, DataTimes