Gonzaga Prep joins the fold

Gonzaga Prep joins the league this year when Greater Spokane League slowpitch softball begins its sixth season today.

The Bullpups debut at Rogers. In the first-game feature, last year’s runner-up Central Valley hosts third-place finisher Lewis and Clark. They will be among favorites this year.

The league began in 2003 for District 81 schools LC, Ferris, Rogers, Shadle Park and North Central as a way to meet Title IX concerns for gender sports equity. Rogers won the first title and Ferris the next two.

CV district schools joined in 2006 and University is two-time defending champion. Now, with the addition of the Bullpups, only the Mead schools are not a part of the league.

“We did a survey last spring and found out we had interest to do it,” said G-Prep athletic director Paul Manfred. “When we did it two years ago it was still new enough that it sounded OK, but there was not enough interest to make a financial commitment. This year it was just the opposite.”

There are 38 players out and James Pizelo is one of four fastpitch coaches heading fall programs. Others are Rogers’ Cris Coffield, East Valley’s Kurt Krauth and U-Hi’s Jon Schuh.

U-Hi has lost once in two seasons, last year 17-14 to LC during league, for a combined 31-1 record. The Titans edged CV 10-9 in nine innings for the district title. They meet at CV on Friday.

U-Hi returnees include senior Ali Warren, the league MVP and a multiple softball All-GSL selection as a standout third baseman both in fall and with fastpitch in the spring.