GSL roundup: Highlanders shut out Indians
The cold and wet has delayed bringing out the best in Shadle Park’s offense. With Sam Skillingstad on the mound, however, any runs will do.
In a showdown between Greater Spokane League unbeaten softball teams, Skillingstad led off the second inning with a triple to set up the winning score, then completed a two-hit shutout, striking out 17 in the host Highlanders’ 3-0 win Tuesday over North Central.
The game not only featured teams with perfect records, but also pitted GSL pitching aces – Skillingstad and the Indians’ Kelsie Vallies against each other.
Vallies scattered five hits and fanned eight, but a couple of untimely errors conspired to do her in.
“We’re getting it done defensively and Sam is a gem,” said Shadle coach George Lynn following the victory. “She’s better than last year. She has more command and I think more velocity.”
Lynn was equally complimentary to Vallies, saying she looked good and is faster than a year ago as well.
“It was great to go against a great pitcher who gives us a challenge,” he said.
Vallies worked out of a first-inning jam after Shadle (4-0) put runners at second and third base with one out. In the second, Skillingstad laced a ball to right field and pinch-runner Amber Johnson scored on an error. The Highlanders added two more hits, but got just one more run out of it.
They also stranded runners in a couple of other innings for want of a timely hit, scoring their final run in the sixth on a two-out infield error.
“I think a lot of it is we’re not in rhythm like we were last year,” Lynn said. “We’ve had four games in five weeks and been on our field three times. Until we get our rhythm, it’s tough to fire on all cylinders.”
Skillingstad was firing from the mound mixing control with her high rise ball that gets batters fishing. She struck out the side in the first, third, fourth and fifth innings, allowing just two base runners on hits that led off the second and fourth innings.
The first was by NC’s Kim Hare, who missed last year with a knee injury and hurt it again running out a grounder in the final inning.
“She did something,” said NC coach Herm Marshall. “Kim is probably the best hitter on our club.”
Marshall said his Indians (4-1) played tough and that Vallies showed mettle in working out of jams.
“She’s better and stronger,” he said. “But we made errors that opened the door.”
In other games, Central Valley and Mead (both 5-1) kept pace with the leaders. … At Gonzaga Prep (2-4), Mead’s Panthers rolled to an 11-3 triumph, breaking a 2-2 tie with a four-run fifth. Mead’s top five batters in the order hit safely as Katie Kine had three hits and drove in four runs and Rachel Yuen had four hits and scored three times. … The host CV Bears scored five runs in the fourth inning of an 8-2 win over Lewis and Clark (0-5). Winning pitcher Alyssa Erickson and McKenzie Gummersall doubled in two runs each in the inning. Gennasee Aman went 3 for 4. … East Valley (2-2) scored five first inning runs to beat visiting Ferris (0-4) 7-3. Kelsey Kurtz hit a two-run single in the opening frame and Morgan Manchester was 3 for 4 and scored twice. … Visiting University (3-3) kept Rogers (0-6) winless, scoring seven times in the second inning of a 12-1 triumph. Amanda Hickman and Ricki Schiermeister were each 3 for 3 and scored three times.
Baseball
Central Valley completed a two-day sweep of Rogers to run its record to 6-0 and remain atop the GSL. The Bears won 9-4 as sophomore Joe Arlt allowed just one run through six innings. He was staked to a 4-0 lead on Andy Richards‘ two-run single and KC Mack had two hits and two RBIs. Andrew Durant had two hits for the Pirates (2-4). … Coming off a bye, University (4-0) smacked three successive first-inning doubles following a walk and went on to a 7-1 win over Gonzaga Prep (2-4). Danny Jordan threw a four-hitter and was one of three Titans, Billy Moon and Tyler Olson the others, to go 2 for 3. Moon and Olson each drove in two runs. … Ferris (5-1) lost its first game 9-6 at North Central (3-3). Justin Murphy went the distance pitching for the Indians and hit a two-run homer. Ben Maxfield added three hits for NC. … Mead (3-1), playing at Mt. Spokane (3-3), beat the Wildcats for the second straight day, 10-1. Mead’s Tyler Thoreson allowed one run in five innings and was 2 for 4 with a double and an RBI. Glen Reser hit a two-run homer for Mead. … Justin Sinn’s walk-off home run for East Valley lifted the Knights (2-4) to a 4-3 win over visiting Lewis and Clark (0-6). A.J. Mills struck out six in four innings of scoreless relief.
Boys soccer
Jake Krueger converted two shots off the post as Shadle Park (2-4, 2-1) defeated North Central (2-4, 0-4) in a GSL makeup match. Krueger’s first came midway through the first half. After the Indians tied the score midway through the second half, Chris Leech scored on an assist from Dan Powell and Krueger added insurance at the 74-minute mark.