U-Hi Faces Pressure To Repeat As Champs By Mike Vlahovich Staff Writer

GSL softball

Defending Greater Spokane League champion University and third-place finisher Central Valley will take opposing paths in their bid for repeat regional and state efforts.

The Titans have everyone back from last year’s team that went 20-0 in the regular season and 23-3 overall and will be the league favorite.

As such, they must guard against the pitfalls inherent when bearing that burden.

“You’ve got to be good,” said U-Hi coach Ken Van Sickle, “but you’ve got to be lucky. Last year we won some tight games, got on a roll and kept it going.”

CV, with a whole new pitching staff and infield, will face the season without such pressure.

“I’m pointing at U-Hi and Mead,” said coach Kenny Haynes. “After that it will be a dogfight.”

The two teams traveled to Wenatchee for today’s doubleheader against the Panthers and Walla Walla, last year’s regional champion.

Then it’s on to GSL competition Thursday for the first of 18 league games. The Titans are at Ferris and the Bears are at Shadle Park.

Beware the head wearing the crown

University has won three league championships in four years and has a veteran team.

But Van Sickle cautions against penciling in another title just yet.

“I don’t see anyone going undefeated and don’t remember when a league favorite has won it,” he said. “There’s enough quality pitching that if you’re not ready you’ll get beat.”

Still, most of the other GSL teams would love Van Sickle’s situation.

League MVP Cheryl Andrizzi is back as Titan pitcher, as are first-team All-GSL leftfielder Jen Madsen and second baseman Megan Mertens.

Other senior veterans are second-team All-GSL first baseman Katy Oglesbee, outfielder Julia Yoke and right fielder Kelly Pierce.

“She was injured most of last year with a broken wrist, but came back for the playoffs,” said Van Sickle.

Returning junior starters are catcher Mandy Christensen and third baseman-pitcher Nicki Meyer.

The only position to fill was shortstop and that will be by sophomore Megan Owen, who also pitches.

Another sophomore, Vanessa Shelton, is contending for an outfield spot and can also play shortstop.

Rounding out the team is junior outfielder Jodi Schab.

Meyer pitched at state when Andrizzi was injured, the second straight year the Titans played in the tournament without their ace.

“We’re not resting on our laurels,” said Van Sickle. “Our ultimate goal is to get back to state healthy and see what we can do.”

Bears have added weapons

CV’s regional qualifying team must revamp its infield and will pitch by committee, but that doesn’t mean it can’t compete.

The Bears have added two weapons who should help ease the losses by graduation.

Basketball star Rikki Jackson, an accomplished baseball player, returns to the game for the first time in four years. She will be CV’s shortstop.

Junior left hander Shanelle Test will be pitching for her third team in as many years.

She shared duties for regional qualifer North Central as a freshman and for regional qualifier Mead as a junior, where she was second-team All-GSL.

Test is one of three pitchers for coach Kenny Haynes this year. The others are juniors Angie Decker, a letter winner, and Jen Williams.

“That’s going to be really nice,” said Haynes “I can play Lou Piniella, go out to the bullpen and say, ‘Bring in the lefty.”’

Back for the team is third-year player Kristi Schmitt, one of three veteran outfielders.

Fellow seniors Britanny Beasley-Davis and Larissa Rezin give CV, said Haynes, “One of the fastest outfields in the GSL.”

Also returned is junior catcher Dawn Stangland and Kristin Heuett, who moves from third base to first base.

Haynes’s concern is the inexperience of his infield.

“We’ve had the same infield the last few years and we’re starting brand new,” he said. “The dust hasn’t settled yet.”

Amber Shields, a sophomore, is at second base, junior Allison Gardner or sophomore Jennifer Schmitt will be at third. Another prospect is senior Heather Demars.

“We could be slow starters,” said Haynes. “We have the athletes and desire. It’s a matter of when they come together.”

Bullpups have building to do

Gonzaga Prep has a new coach, former Rogers mentor Paul Cooley, and a young team.

“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.

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.

, DataTimes