Softball Getting Into Swing

Greater Spokane League

A year ago Lewis and Clark High School made its first trip to the State 4A softball tournament. Mention the possibility of a repeat, and coach Dennis DeBill says he doesn’t understand why.

“We don’t have much experience, with only three kids who play summer ball,” DeBill said. “In my opinion we’re hoping to make the sixth (district playoff) spot.”

LC, Gonzaga Prep, and Ferris, under new coach Linda Bushinski, will find out how competitive they are when the Greater Spokane League begins Friday.

Right out of the chute the Tigers host another regional qualifier, Central Valley, whose lineup includes former Tiger Carina Ebat.

The Saxons, who lost all-league third baseman Annie Boyd to another returning state qualifier, Shadle Park, entertain the improved Bullpups.

Teams play an 18-game league schedule, meaning they play two of 10 opponents just one time. The top six league finishers advance to district, where four teams will qualify for regionals. Regionals will be at Franklin Park in May.

Pitching will carry the Tigers

Pitching is the name of the game in fastpitch softball, and the Tigers have one of the league’s best.

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

Kaylene Fountain is entering her fourth year as a Tiger starter. Sophomore backup Kayla Adams provides ample depth.

“We can’t go wrong with Kaylene,” admitted DeBill. “She’s better than she was last year, and Adams never lost a league game.

“Their earned run averages were the same to .01 point.”

Adams also is in DeBill’s mind the best third baseman in the league, perhaps the best second baseman and an excellent catcher.

All-GSL outfielder Sarah Travis returns, as do four other outfielders.

Replacing a catcher, first baseman and shortstop are priorities, although transfer Sara Rhodes from Mead likely will fill the latter position.

“Look and see what we lost,” DeBill said. “We just want to make the playoffs.”

Saxons have new direction

Bushinski, who last coached North Central to a state volleyball championship, takes on a sport in which she is one of Spokane’s premier recreation players.

She was an All-American outfielder on last summer’s modified national championship Stadium Sports team.

“As a new coach, I don’t have a lot of answers,” Bushinski said of the upcoming season.

What she does have, absent Boyd, is a successful coaching track record and returning players from a statequalifying team two years ago. Among them are last spring’s second-team All-GSL shortstop Marie Ruddell and centerfielder Abbie Socha.

Colleen Melody at second base, Lindsay Tomlin at first, and Justine Ruddell at catcher are three-year varsity players.

Ferris missed the playoffs last year absent a dominant pitcher. Sisters Andrea, a junior, and Carrie Dorendorf, a freshman, and junior Sabrina Slater will attempt to fill the void.

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. “Probably the most difficult thing about this year is the number of pitchers back in league.”

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

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

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

McDonald is one of 10 returning players, and the sophomore class is coming off an undefeated freshman season. Pitchers April Skubinna and Christy Thorne return. Chrissy Sterling, another second team All-GSL infielder, moves from shortstop to third base, enabling Kris Leonetti to move back to first.

By jockeying players back to their natural positions, the Bullpups will be stronger defensively. Cooley said he has good hitting through 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.”

This sidebar appeared with the story: Softball rosters

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

Ferris Returnees

Colleen Melody, sr., second base

Lindsay Tomlin, sr., first base

Justine Ruddell, sr., catcher

Mikie Lehman, sr.,outfield

Abbie Socha, jr., outfield

Marie Ruddell, jr., shortstop

Andrea Dorendorf, jr., pitcher

Michelle Hoy, soph., third base Newcomers

Johanne Butler, sr., outfield

Carrie Dorendorf, fr., pitcher

Alison Bailie, soph., infield/outfield

Katie Lust-Liggins, jr., outfield

Allison Brown, sr., infield

Sabrina Slater, jr., pitcher

Lewis and Clark Returnees

Jennica Johnson, sr., outfield

Sarah Travis, sr., outfield

Kaylene Fountain, sr., pitcher

Ashley Andrews, jr.,outfield

Therese Crisp, jr., outfield

Mary Beth Gaddy, soph., outfield

Kayla Adams, soph., pitcher/catcher/infield Newcomers

Kristen Dvoracek, jr., catcher

Tianna Mana, fr., third base

Sara Rhodes, jr., shortstop

Ericka Johnson, fr., second base

Danielle Murphy, soph., first base

Jesse Miller, jr., second base