Gsl Returns In Force Again At State Tournament Veterans U-Hi, Shadle Look For Improvement Over Past Finishes

Greater Spokane League teams make a second straight mass exodus today to the State 4A softball tournament in Vancouver, Wash. Over the last two years the league has earned 7 of 8 available Eastern Regional berths.

Three-time regional champion University, second-year state qualifier Shadle Park and state novice Lewis and Clark are this year’s teams on the move.

The Titans, fifth last year, and the Highlanders, who went 0-2, are seeking to improve at state. They are among seven returning teams.

“We know our way around a little,” said Highlanders coach Janie VandeBerg. “I think we can do better.”

University coach Don Owen said he told his players from the beginning they have enough talent to win state.

“When you get there, it’s a matter of who gets the breaks,” said Owen. “It’s a matter of who’s playing hot and which pitcher is throwing well at the time.”

Regional runner-up Shadle Park must face either defending state champion Kelso or second-place finisher Kamiak in a second-round game.

“I’m thankful we were second in regional, to be honest,” said VandeBerg, “even if we are up against a state champ.”

The Highlanders face first-time qualifier Auburn-Riverside in the first round. University plays Kentlake, which has but three losses.

Owen, however, likes his side of the bracket better than the other.

LC coach Dennis DeBill, meanwhile, is just glad to be there.

“We’re just going to have a good time,” he said. “The thing that’s kind of amazing about this team is that we only have four who play summer ball. Everywhere else they all do, but these kids don’t.”

But he’s not entirely surprised that the Tigers are in state. Unlike two assistant coaches, DeBill didn’t volunteer to have his head shaved when the team qualified for regionals.

“I knew better,” he said. “This year there was no doubt in my mind we would go. It’s something to be proud of.”

LC will be without Carina Ebat who was hit in the face at regionals by a pitch, breaking bones above her eye and in her cheek.

3A

East Valley’s first-ever regional championship meant little to the schedule maker.

The Knights open the tournament against last year’s runner-up, Issaquah, a fourth seed. Lurking in the next round is defending champion Capital.

Coach Randy Burkhart is seeking a bracket change because he’s playing a District 2 four seed, while No. 2 Moses Lake plays a District 2 five.

Still, he remains philosophical.

“At this point in time,” he said, “the old adage is that you have to beat everyone.”

The Knights earned their fifth state appearance in seven years.

“We had two nice efforts from our pitchers, Katie Hirst and Rebecca Triplett,” he said. “And for whatever reason certain things happened and everyone contributed at the right times.”

Eight teams are returning to the tournament.

2A

Colville leads a trio of three Great Northern League teams returning to state in Yakima.

The Indians, third the last two years, have gone 100-25-1 during coach Clyde Brown’s five years.

Included are 18 straight wins this year after opening 0-5 in preseason. One loss was to Shadle.

“We were right with them and I felt we were on track,” said Brown.

A tiebreaker victory over Freeman to open the GNL set the tone for league. Five starters are back, but the Indians had to replace league MVP pitcher Tarrah Brown and all-league catcher Mandy Lawson.

Juniors Brooke Brown, Tarrah’s sister, and Cheri Nelson took up the challenge. Veterans Ellen Shaw, .405, Jamie Entwistle, .384, and Lindsey Braff, .370, led the offense.

Freeman, 17-6, finished second in district for the second year. Kettle Falls, 18-7, was fourth in league but third in district.

Eleven teams return, including the GNL trio.

Slowpitch

Spokane’s Franklin Park is the site of two slowpitch tournaments, the combined 1A-2A-3A eight-team event and the B tournament.

Garfield-Palouse is defending state champion in the latter, which features eight returning teams.

Vikings coach Kevin Sheffler is wary of Odessa and 24-1 Republic, potential early stumbling blocks to a repeat title.

“I’ve been telling people if we get through the first two games we make the championship,” he said.

Gar-Pal, 21-3, has replaced its entire infield from last year’s 27-1 team, with backups and two of last year’s outfielders. Junior Shannon Roper is a third-year starting pitcher.

AT A GLANCE State softball 4A Fastpitch in Vancouver Friday and Saturday at Salmon Creek Complex. University (23-2) vs. Kentlake and Lewis and Clark (18-9) vs. Gig Harbor, both Friday 9:30 a.m. Shadle Park (21-4) vs. Auburn/Riverside, 11:30 a.m. Winners bracket at 3:30 p.m. Losers bracket at 1:30 and 5:30 p.m. Tourney continues Saturday at 9:30 a.m.

3A Fastpitch in Tacoma: Friday and Saturday at South End Recreation Area. East Valley (20-4) vs. Issaquah 16-8), noon preceded by Moses Lake (19-5) vs. Seattle Prep and Hanford (21-4) vs. Liberty, 10 a.m. Winners bracket at 4:30 p.m. Losers bracket at 2:30 and 6 p.m. Tourney continues Saturday at 10 a.m.

2A/1A Fastpitch in Yakima: Friday and Saturday at Larson Park. Freeman (17-7) vs. Kalama, 10 a.m. Kettle Falls (18-7) vs. Othello and Colville (18-5) vs. Ridgefield, both noon. Winners bracket at 4 p.m. Losers bracket at 2 and 6 p.m. Tourney continues Saturday at 10 a.m.

1A/2A/3A and B Slowpitch in Spokane: Both tournaments at Franklin Park. B games include Republic (24-1) vs. Naselle and Odessa (20-6) vs. Garfield-Palouse (23-1), both 10 a.m. Selkirk (19-6) vs. PeEll, Touchet vs. Orcas, Tekoa-Oakesdale vs. Manson and Almira/Coulee-Hartline (23-3) vs. Napavine, all at noon. Winners- and losers-bracket games are at 2 and 4 p.m. Tournament continues Saturday at 9 a.m.