U-Hi, CV slowpitch teams return some key players

There aren’t very many high school softball programs that can graduate more than 70 percent of its starting lineup and not face an empty cupboard the following season.

University is an exception.

Winners of the first two Greater Spokane League girls slowpitch softball championships, the Titans graduated seven starters from last year’s starting lineup, including four All-GSL first-team players and three of the team’s four starting infielders.

And still coach Jon Schuh has a solid nucleus to work with – one that includes last year’s Most Valuable Player and two returning first-team all-league players

Meanwhile, the team that pushed the Titans into extra innings in the championship game a year ago, league rival Central Valley, comes back strong with a pair of all-league performers and last year’s Coach of the Year, Joe Stanton.

“I think if we had a checkers club at U-Hi, we’d still get excited about beating CV,” Schuh laughed. “It’s just a great rivalry, no matter what the sport. We like to call it Wood Wars when we play CV. It doesn’t have the big name like Stinky Sneaker (basketball) or Battle of the Bone (wrestling) or Greasy Pig (football), but it still means a lot to these kids.”

Central Valley

Whether the ball is pitched fast or slow, Stanton says, he teaches his players to hit the same way. That includes learning to take the ball to the opposite field.

“Our seniors have been doing a great job of taking the pitch and going with it to right field instead of trying to pull it to left all the time,” he said. “They set a good example for our younger players, and a lot of them are trying to do that, too.”

The Bears are one of the fortunate programs in the league – most slowpitch players play fastpitch in the spring.

“We probably have about 95 percent of our fastpitch players out,” Stanton said. “There are one or two who aren’t out, but that’s all.”

Junior shortstop Becky White was a first-team All-GSL selection a year ago and senior Alyssa Erickson was a second-team pick at third base. Together they give the Bears a solid returning infield.

Senior Chrystal Holt and junior Jamie Belknap, both returning starters, bring speed and defense to a fleet outfield, playing left and center field, respectively. That outfield speed allows Stanton to deploy sophomore Jenna Gaskin as a rover – essentially an extra infielder up the middle.

Sophomore shortstop Amber Webb has made a smooth transition to the middle circle.

“Pitching isn’t something she really wanted to do, but I told her that was where we needed her to play,” Stanton said. “People think it’s easy to pitch slowpitch softball, but there’s more to it than they think and she’s doing a great job for us there.”

East Valley

Fall softball is a different challenge for coach Kurt Krauth.

At a school where two- and three-sport athletes are commonplace, many of the players who made up the EV lineup this past spring are standouts on the volleyball and soccer teams.

Junior Vanessa Purcell is the lone returning starter and currently is the team’s leading hitter. Senior Allie Clary is a first-year slowpitch player, but brings energy and athleticism to the team.

Senior Amanda Martes and her sophomore sister, Katie, are new additions and help solidify the team’s infield.

Senior team captain Stephanie Adkins brings solid leadership to the squad while playing shortstop and third base.

Sophomore Mallory Somers is a solid pitcher. Junior Rebecca Crowder and sophomores Kayla Strange and Shelby Brower are solid defensive performers.

University

A year ago the Titans had the most experienced infield in the GSL. First baseman Riki Schiermeister was a four-year starter at first base in fast-pitch. Lexi Obenchain was a three-year starter and four-year varsity player, as was shortstop Amanda Hickman.

All three graduated, as did standout centerfielder Alyssa Hawley.

“That happens in programs and, in a lot of ways, it’s a good thing,” Schuh said. “It forces the players that were on the team last year to step up and play a bigger role. And they’re doing that.”

It helps that senior Ali Warren, the league’s MVP, returns to play third base. Her sophomore sister, Breann, was the first-team All-GSL pitcher a year ago, as was senior outfielder Shaina Marvel.

Junior Alene Bethel, the team catcher during the spring, shifts to shortstop for slowpitch where she helps anchor the infield.

“Right now we’re moving people around a little bit, trying to find where everyone fits together,” Schuh said. “Besides, it’s good for players to be able to play multiple positions. You never know when you’ll lose someone to an injury and have to shake things up.

“This is a game where, if you’re struggling a little bit, especially defensively, the ball will find you. That’s kind of where we are right now.”