U-Hi Edges Shadle 2-1

GSL softball

Shadle Park softball pitcher Jessica Murray had plenty of arm. It was her legs that got her in trouble.

Repeatedly penalized for an illegal delivery, the Highlanders junior walked eight University Titans, two of them leading to the runs that determined U-Hi’s 2-1 Greater Spokane League victory.

The win kept the Titans (4-0) tied for first with Lewis and Clark (4-0), a 1-0 victor over Rogers (2-2) in another pitching-dominated game. The Highlanders are 2-2.

In other GSL games, Central Valley (2-1) beat Mt. Spokane (0-3) 9-4, Mead (1-3) spanked East Valley (2-2) 11-3 and Gonzaga Prep (2-2) edged North Central (0-3) 6-4.

Shadle Park’s Murray, who allowed but one hit, in the sixth inning, was called for “crow-hopping”, an extra step that generates power while moving a pitcher closer to the plate. By fastpitch rules, a thrower is allowed only to slide the trail leg on delivery.

Three times, Titan Kara Jordan walked because of the calls and twice she scored. In the fifth, Jordan stole second and scored on resulting overthrows.

Shadle tied the game in the sixth on singles by Dorthea Gooch and, after U-Hi pitcher Megan Owen loaded the bases, Murray.

But in the bottom of the seventh, Jordan walked, stole second and moved to third on another illegal pitch call. She scored on Vanessa Shelton’s sacrifice fly.

“She did it every time I got up,” said Jordan of the seldom-enforced pitching rule. “Both times I scored, the ball hit my leg when I stole. I was lucky. I capitalized on mistakes.”

Highlanders coaches Janie VandeBerg and George Lynn were incensed with the calls.

“Jessica’s been pitching in the league for three years,” said VandeBerg, her voice trailing off. “To have that many calls. … On the good side, it was an exciting game. We did not lose, we were beaten by circumstances.”

Neither team had a hit through five innings. Owen worked out of several jams after hitting three batters and allowing three hits. Murray’s only problems were the walks.

“I was fairly confident in Vanessa when she was up there,” said Titans coach Jon Schuh of his star’s clutch fly ball. “She’s a nice weapon to have.”

Elsewhere, LC took advantage of an error to edge Rogers 1-0. Jennica Johnson reached base on the miscue, stole second base, advanced on a passed ball and scored the game’s only run on a ground out. Kaylene Fountain improved to 4-0 with a three-hit, nine-strikeout effort. Hard-luck loser Jamie Merrill allowed just four hits, two by Mead transfer Sara Rhoads, and fanned eight. … Central Valley scored six unearned runs in the fourth inning on two hits and two walks with one out, followed by a pair of errors. Jamie Danelo walked three times and had a hit while batting No. 9 in the order. Wildcats pitcher Jodi Hultquist had seven strikeouts, giving her 24 in three games. … Gonzaga Prep also had a six-run inning, the second, leading to its victory over NC. The Bullpups hit seven singles, five of them in a row during the decisive inning and then weathered a late comeback. Stephanie Stone was 3 for 3 and Chrissy Sterling 3 for 4 to lead the Bullpups’ 12-hit attack. … Mead won for the first time with Betsy Rayner driving in four runs. She hit a bases-loaded double and bases-loaded single. All Panthers runs came in the fifth and sixth innings after falling behind 3-0. Everyone in Mead’s starting lineup had a hit.