Most Teams Counting On Return Pitchers For Wins

GSL softball

Trying to sort out this year’s Greater Spokane League softball standings is an excercise in futility.

The top finishers from last year are not as dominant as they were, save perhaps Shadle Park, and most of the rest of the league is improved.

The fact that teams play eight opponents twice and two foes once during the regular season could have an impact on standings. The addition of 3A state qualifier East Valley, with 10 varsity returnees, further muddles the picture.

The easiest course of action is to use pitching as a guide.

“With or without a supporting cast,” said Gonzaga Prep coach Paul Cooley,“a lot of teams are going to win because a number of pitchers are back.”

Included are Shadle Park’s Jessica Murray and Rogers’ Jamie Merrill who could hurl their teams back into the district playoffs.

“I’ll try to talk you out of that,” said Highlander coach Janie VandeBerg, when discussion centered around whether the Highlanders should be favored to win the GSL.

“University and Lewis and Clark both beat us last year. They’re returning their pitchers, too.”

Shadle is young, with six new players. But the team also has a lineup featuring five first- or second-team all-league players. Included is Ferris transfer third baseman Annie Boyd.

Mead also is young, but has adequate pitching in Dawnice Fountain and all-leaguer Anna Vagstad. The team suffered a blow when shortstop Sara Rhodes moved to Lewis and Clark.

Mt. Spokane returns virtually its entire lineup, and pitcher Jodi Hultquist was solid.

Gonzaga Prep figures to be a playoff challenger this year for Cooley.

North Central returns six players, all of them juniors or sophomores.

“We have to find and develop a pitcher,” said coach Herm Marshall. “That’s going to be our biggest task.”

Games begin Friday for all but NC, including Shadle Park at Mead and Mt. Spokane at Rogers.

Highlanders optimistic, cautious

After finishing higher than any other Spokane team at state last year, Shadle, with eight returnees, has reason for optimism.

“I see us as going to be competitive,” said VandeBerg. “We have six returning starters and will continue to have a really strong defense.”

Improving hitting, particularly for power, has been a point of emphasis.

Besides Murray, second in league in hitting, and Boyd, the Highlander lineup will include all-league and University of Southern Coloradobound catcher Dorthea Gooch, outfielder Tara Malmquist and shortstop Ashley Lynn.

Replacing second base and one outfield spot are the major priorities.

“We are a good team, have a great nucleus and the senior leaders are wonderful,” said VandeBerg.

Pirates hope youth prevails

Last year Rogers shared third place in league, but had several key seniors, including the league’s leading hitter.

“We’ll be younger this year,” said coach Karen MacDonald, “and that’s going to hurt us a little bit.”

But, she added, the youthful talent is good and if early mistakes don’t get the players down, the Pirates can be good again.

Merrill on the mound and at bat is a constant.

Barb Draine returns at second base, Cassie Johnson at third as does the outfield of Shronna Martin, Sara Abrahamson and Amanda Hoffman.

Newcomers will make the Pirates strong again at catcher, and MacDonald said the team can hit.

“The only thing that gets us is lack of experience. Athlete for athlete we have it again,” she said. “We should make districts. I feel that strong.”

Panthers young, but experienced

After reaching state his first year as coach, Mead’s John Barrington fielded a team last year that included five sophomores.

“Last year we were kind of young and inexperienced,” he said. “We’re still somewhat young, but more experienced.”

The Panther roster includes five juniors and five new sophomores.

Seniors Fountain and Vagstad, a first team all-league outfielder, provide contrasting pitching styles, finesse versus power.

“I like what we’ve got with those two,” said Barrington.

Outfielders Sarah Ruthven and Betsy Rayner and catcher Elana Mainer are junior returnees.

Defense was Mead’s bugaboo last year. Improvement is a must if the team is to move up in league standings.

“We made 65 errors in 20 games,” said Barrington. “Obviously that can’t happen. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.”

Bullpups could be back in hunt

Cooley, who coached Rogers to second place in state and who is in his third year at the helm of Gonzaga Prep, likes his team.

“Where we were from where we began, we’ve certainly turned the corner,” he said.

When first he came, said Cooley, the Bullups were trying to hide positions. Now, they have all nine positions covered with depth to spare.

They are a little better even than he anticipated because Megan McDonald, a second team All-GSL shortstop two years ago, is back after a year layoff. She is one of 10 returnees.

“She will help us out considerably,” said Cooley.

Pitchers April Skubinna and Christy Thorne return. Chrissy Sterling, a second team All-GSL player moves from shortstop to third base, enabling Kris Leonetti to move back to first.

Cooley said the team is solid defensively and has good hitting through all nine positions.

“We haven’t had that since I’ve been here,” he said. “For the first time we have a shot at the playoffs.”

Shoring up outfield is Wildcat task

Mt. Spokane improved to five wins its second year in the GSL. With better outfield play the team could make greater strides.

Improvement should come with experience. There was only one senior on last year’s team. Nine players are back.

“This is the first year we have any senior leadership,” said coach Raeleen Epperson. “That’s one thing this group recognized.”

Besides Hultquist on the mound, the Wildcats return Shawna Powell at first, Elina Gee at second, Char McGee at shortstop, Terah Summers at catcher and Katie Fuller at third.

“The infield is essentially unchanged,” said Epperson.

Outfielder Morgan Cerenzia will likely be flanked by newcomers. Cassie DeFreese, a senior pitcher, is back after a year’s layoff.

“I’m not sure where we’ll finish,” said Epperson. “We’re focusing on working hard and competing. We can do fairly well.”

North Central hoping for wins

Winless last year with a sophomore- and freshman-dominated lineup, NC is hoping to be improved.

“We’re a very, very young team,” said Marshall. “But it will be a lot different from last year. We’re going to be a lot better.”

Pitching will tell the tale with Marie Erdahl back and sophomore Jamie Bertholf in the wings.

Nicole Hare and Jessica Huntley return to the outfield. Kim Bowser is back at first base, Jen Tagariello at shortstop and Lindsay Nilles at third.

“Our goal is to try and improve each and every day,” said Marshall.

This sidebar appeared with the story: GSL softball rosters

Mead Returnees

Dawnice Fountain, sr. pitcher outfield

Anna Vagstad, sr. pitcher/shortstop/outfield

Elana Mainer, jr.catcher/second base

Sarah Ruthven, jr. outfield

Betsie Rayner, jr. infield/outfield Newcomers

Keilyn Jordan, sr. outfield

Carly Sartz, jr. outfield

Dana Eneroth, jr. outfield

Jen Brown, soph. first base

Stephanie Klees, soph. infield

Adriane Kehl, soph. infield/outfiel

Kari Vagstad, soph. outfield

Katy Cey, soph. third base/pitcher

Mt. Spokane Returnees

Jodi Hultquist, sr. pitcher

Shawna Powell, sr. first base

Elina Gee, sr.second base

Char McGee, sr. shortstop

Morgan Cerenzia, sr. outfield

Terah Summers, sr. catcher

Carley Hall, jr. outfield

Katie Fuller, jr. third base Newcomers

Mickela Young, soph. outfield

Kristin Peterson, jr. outfield

Cassie DeFreese, sr. pitcher

Amy Weatherman, sr. outfield

North Central Returnees

Marie Erdahl, jr. pitcher

Jessica Huntley, jr. outfield

Nicole Hare, jr.outfield

Kim Bowser, jr. first base

Jen Tagariello, soph. shortstop

Lindsay Nilles, soph. third base Newcomers

Jamie Bertholf, soph. pitcher

Amanda Nilles, fr. catcher

Amy Hiatt, jr. infield

Tiffany Bell, soph. outfield

Jana Laslo, soph. outfield

Audra Lindelos, sr. pitcher/outfield

Brandi McCammon, jr. outfield

Cassie Schneider, soph. outfield

Rogers Returnees

Jaime Merrill, sr. pitcher

Barb Draine, sr. second base

Cassie Johnson, sr. third base

Amanda Hoffman, sr. outfield

Shronna Martin, soph. outfield

Sarah Abrahamson, soph.outfield Newcomers

Missy Coe, jr. catcher

Mindy Morgan, soph. first base

Jodi Schock, fr. shortstop

Shawna Dite, jr. outfield

Jessie Jones, jr. outfield

Naomi Toavia, jr. outfield

Shadle Park Returnees

Dorthea Gooch, sr. catcher

Holly Hayden, sr. outfield

Jessica Murray, jr.pitcher

Tara Malmquist, jr. outfield

Jennifer Stockman, jr. pitcher

Katie Hoffman, jr. second base

Ashley Lynn, soph. shortstop Newcomers

Andrea McGrath, sr. first base

Annie Boyd, jr. third base

Katie Perham, fr. outfield

Robin Henley, sr. outfield

Amanda Fisher, jr. catcher

Lyndsey Anderson, so. third base

Melanie Kisman, so. outfield

Gonzaga Prep Returnees

Jessica Pankratz, sr. second base

Molly Bayne, sr. outfield

Megan McDonald, sr. shortstop

Kris Leonetti, jr. first base

Stephanie Stone, jr.outfield

Jerin Falkner, jr. third base/DH

Nicole Barnum, jr. outfield

April Skubinna, soph. pitcher

Chrissy Sterling, soph. third base

Christy Thorne, soph. pitcher

Erica Naccarato, soph. catcher Newcomers

Sara Anderson, jr. outfield

Tara Leonard, jr. catcher/infield

Leslie Varela, jr. outfield

Lauren Buxton, jr. outfield