Prep softball notes: Mead’s Erin Kautzman has big fan at Mt. Spokane

Erin Kautzman can expect at least one enthusiastic supporter from Mt. Spokane’s side when her Mead Panthers play the Wildcats on Friday.

Kautzman’s father, Paul, is Mt. Spokane’s athletic director and a social studies teacher.

“It’s funny, because he always has to be rooting for both teams when I’m out there,” said Erin, Mead’s All-Greater Spokane League left fielder. “Especially the rivalry game is tough for me. He’ll always be wearing Mt. Spokane stuff, but be cheering for me.”

Erin could have attended Mt. Spokane, but the majority of her friends are at Mead.

Mead coach Joel Shawen is grateful to have Kautzman patrolling the outfield and outwitting pitchers with her left-handed bat.

“She is just the absolute, ultimate team player,” Shawen said. “She’s the first one on the field. She doesn’t come out and talk and lead the way, but her actions – the way that she works and the things that she does – make her irreplaceable for us.”

Kautzman was called up to varsity during her sophomore season. She was a pitcher before the promotion, but she found her home in left field after a short attempt at first base.

Kautzman sports a 4.0 grade-point average and is one of Mead’s valedictorians. She also serves on the associated student body.

This spring will be her last last with softball. Kautzman plans to attend Eastern Washington University and follow her father into the education field.

“We’ve talked to her (about college softball) because we know we could get her to play somewhere and a team would be lucky to have her, just because of what she brings on and off the field,” Shawen said. “But she’s set in starting her career right now because she’s an awesome student, a wonderful student.”

“I just want to end with a great season,” Kautzman said. “Probably more wins than losses, hopefully, and I want to make it to districts and through to state. That would be the goal.”

Young Blackhawks shine

Cheney coach Gary Blake entered the season with high hopes, given that six of the 11 players on his roster are seniors.

The seniors are holding up their end of the bargain, but the Blackhawks (12-0) are also getting huge contributions from younger players.

Cheney is hitting .499, led by sophomore shortstop/catcher Rachel Barsness (.660) and freshman catcher/pitcher Maddie Kallsen (.622). Freshman right fielder/third baseman Meghan Krantz is batting .536.

Senior pitcher Julia Boyd (9-0) has a 2.63 earned-run average with 72 strikeouts in 48 innings. She’s also hitting .545. Senior Adrianna Suiter, the center fielder, is hitting .545 with three home runs and 32 runs batted in.

Cheney is 9-0 in the Great Northern League with a three-game lead over East Valley and seven league games remaining. The Blackhawks’ only remaining league game against EV will be Tuesday at Cheney.

“I figured we had a good shot at (the league title),” Blake said. “At this point, obviously, we have more than a shot.”