Bears Snap Titans’ Run

GSL softball

Central Valley completed a magical two days of Greater Spokane League softball by ending “The Streak.”

The Bears 3-2 victory over University ended the Titans’ GSL run of 42 consecutive wins dating back to 1996.

University, winner of three straight league titles, won their last two games in 1996, were unbeaten in league the next two seasons and had won their first seven games this year.

“All good things come to an end,” said Titans coach Don Owen.

Just the day before, CV had defeated then-unbeaten Lewis and Clark. It was a huge confidence boost heading into the game with its district rival.

Trailing 2-1, the Bears opened the fourth inning with Dawn Stangland’s base hit. She moved up on a wild pitch and ground out and scored on Kristen Heuett’s bunt.

Heuett made it safely to second on the play and scored the winning run on a hit by Adrienne Jensen.

“I was relaxed,” said Heuett. “I knew we had to get a run so I just laid it down and ran hard. This is the greatest feeling.”

U-Hi missed an opportunity to tie in the seventh, twice failing to execute squeeze bunts after Jodie Schab opened the inning with a double.

Coupled with Rogers’ 2-1 victory over the Tigers, only a game separates four teams after eight league outings.

The Titans maintained their lead with a 7-1 record. The Tigers, Pirates and Shadle Park, a 10-0 winner over Mead, are tied for second at at 6-2.

In other games, Gonzaga Prep beat Ferris 6-4 and Mt. Spokane beat North Central 5-1.

Central Valley’s victory improved its record to 5-3 in fifth place.

Rogers’ Crystal Perry had two hits, including a triple when the Pirates scored twice in the fourth inning to beat LC.

Pitcher Jamie Merrill allowed one hit, giving up the LC run in the first inning. Her Tigers counterpart, Kayleen Fountain, struck out 10.

Shadle Park banged out 15 hits, including triples by Aubrie Caldwell and winning pitcher Jessica Murray. A six-run fifth inning decided the game with Mead.

Murray allowed one hit and was 3 for 3 with five runs batted in. Caldwell went 3 for 4.

Gonzaga Prep (3-5), scored three runs in the seventh inning to beat Ferris (1-7).

Included was a game-tying double by Kris Leonetti and two-run home run by Heather Clark.

Mt. Spokane’s Jodi Hultquist struck out 14 and Katie Fuller tripled in two runs during a three-run seventh inning.

The Wildcats evened their record at 4-4. NC remains winless.