Scoring numbers continue to rise in GSL fastpitch

Greater Spokane League fastpitch softball teams have been putting up slowpitch offensive numbers so far this season.

In 20 of the league’s first 30 games, the victors have scored in double figures and four teams in defeat also broke double digits. Included have been a 40-run outburst by Shadle Park, 26 of those in one inning, and 30 runs by University in a victory.

Comparing figures over the past five years, run production has increased dramatically over the past two in a game that is typically pitching dominant.

“Anyone who opens the sports page understands when fastpitch scores are higher than slowpitch,” said Shadle Park coach George Lynn, whose state runner-up Highlanders have yet to be tested this year. “I just think league pitching is at an all-time low.”

Between 2003 and 2005 pitchers allowed an average of roughly 1.6 runs per game during this time in the season while the winning teams were scoring 7.8 per game.

Last year the figures jumped to 2.7 and 11.7 and this year the numbers are up further to 3.4 and nearly 13.

“In the old days a pure version of fastpitch was being played,” said Lynn, who expressed concern.

While there are still strong pitchers within the league, most notably juniors Sam Skillingstad from Shadle and Kelcie Vallies from North Central, depth throughout the league has dropped.

In prior seasons there were seven to nine solid pitchers, including several of high quality. Some teams boasted a pair. Over the past couple of seasons the numbers have dropped by half.

Shadle Park (5-0), behind pitchers Skillingstad and 2005 graduate Stephanie Trudeau, currently pitching at Dartmouth, has won 40 straight Greater Spokane League games over the past three seasons.

The Highlanders won four times last week, including 6-0 over rival University (4-2) and that 40-0 win over Rogers in which Tressa Predisik was one of four Shadle batters with four hits. She hit her fourth home run this season, a grand slam.

Tuesday Shadle is at North Central (also 5-0) in a GSL showdown. The Indians, incidentally, got a no-hit shutout victory over Lewis and Clark last week, not by Vallies, but from freshman Taylor Bachman.

Maybe youthful pitching throughout the league is a harbinger of a renaissance.

Baseball crazy

GSL baseball is entering its third week of competition and already most of the league’s teams appear vulnerable.

Six of 11 teams have at least three losses after five games and two others have two.

The lone unbeatens are Ferris and Mead at 3-0 apiece and Mt. Spokane is 4-1, it’s loss coming against Gonzaga Prep and Max Manix, with a save by Brian Karwacki.

The Wildcats gained their revenge, 5-1 on Mark Purser‘s three-hitter, both teams’ wins coming on the road.

Prep is part of a four-team tie at 2-3. The Bullpups were swept by Central Valley which hasn’t won since.

Games of note this week are back-to-back home and home series Thursday and Friday pitting Mt. Spokane against North Central (3-2) and Gonzaga versus Mead.

Soccer unbeatens

Defending GSL soccer champion East Valley and State 4A third-placer Mead are off to 3-0 starts in league.

One conspicuous absence so far has been shootout contests. The only one was Rogers’ 2-1 victory over North Central. A couple others have been decided in overtime.

Meanwhile, last year’s State 3A quarterfinalist Cheney has yet to be scored upon in the 2A Great Northern League. The Blackhawks (4-0 in GNL matches) beat Pullman 1-0 in the contest between league favorites.

Prelude to spring break

Greater Spokane League track athletes have one go this week, then wait until the second week of April for league meets to resume.

But the opener is a doozy. Last year’s top two girls finishers, Mead and Shadle Park face off against each other Wednesday. Mt. Spokane, a three-time division winner and multiple finalist the last five seasons, is also at Shadle for the meet.

The old divisional format is gone now that three schools departed for the Great Northern League and the remaining 11 will all compete against each other during the five-meet schedule.