Wv May Face Challenge From Colville

Sat., March 11, 2000

By Mike Vlahovich mikev@spokesman.com (509) 927-2180

West Valley has been a fixture in the regional softball playoffs and usually a state participant throughout most of two decades.

The Eagles enter the new century with hopes of continuing the trend.

“That’s the goal,” said longtime coach Steve Kent who has made a dozen state trips with the Eagles.

WV is part of a four-team Frontier League that will qualify two teams to an end-of-season regional playoff with Mid-Valley schools. That regional advances two teams to the state tournament.

Last year’s state qualifiers, East Valley and Moses Lake, have moved up in classification from 3A to 4A, opening up things a bit this year.

State power Colville, winner of 100 games over five years and a 2A tournament participant last year, moves back into the 3A Frontier League to challenge the Eagles.

“We beat them twice last year up there,” said Kent, “but I’m sure they’re better.”

The four schools, including Cheney and Clarkston bring back a total of six all-conference players.

One of those is Eagle catcher Kristy Alberts.

“She is as good as any in the area, I don’t care what they say,” said Kent. “She allowed only one stolen base last year and only three or four players even tried to steal.”

Alberts is one of five returning senior starters who make up the Eagle nucleus.

Leigh Williams is back at pitcher, Haley Henry and Heidi Lyman will fill shortstop and third base, and Andrea Graham returns in right field.

“All five seniors can hit,” said Kent. “After that we’ll have to see.

He added that Williams will be fine on the mound, “if there are no car wrecks or she doesn’t slam her fingers in the car door.”

Williams was injured late last season in an auto accident and did smash her fingers in a car door earlier this year, but is healthy now.

The Eagles need to replace four positions, and sophomores will fill them, but Kent is not concerned.

“I’m pretty impressed the way the younger kids have come around,” he said. “The outfield will be pretty good. I’m optimistic.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: WV softball roster

Returnees

Leigh Williams, sr., pitcher

Kristy Alberts, sr., catcher

Haley Henry, sr.,third base/shortstop

Heidi Lyman, sr., third base/shortstop

Andrea Graham, sr., rightfield

Newcomers

CC McIntyre, soph., centerfield

Michelle Thielmann, jr., leftfld/2nd base

Arin Martinez, soph., leftfield/2nd base

Megan Sherill, soph., first base/pitcher

Maria Crossman, jr., first base/pitcher

Bobbie Clements, sr., outfield

Lissa Quick, sr., outfield

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