U-Hi, Shadle fall

Only an inch separated University and Capital Friday afternoon in the State 4A high school fastpitch softball championships.

Unfortunately for the Titans, that inch was the distance between an errant throw and the glove of first baseman Sarah Bishop. The error led to the only run of the game, which gave Capital a 1-0 victory in the first-round matchup at the South End Recreational Area.

Likewise, errors cost Shadle Park (20-6) in its opening game, a 7- 6 loss to Kentlake.

Both Greater Spokane League teams stayed alive with victories in the second round. University beat Bothell 1-0, while Shadle Park eliminated Lake Washington 3-1.

To earn a trophy, both teams must win three games today. They resume the tournament at 9 a.m. U-Hi (22-5) takes on Auburn (19-7) and Shadle Park faces Central Kitsap (22-4).

"If you would have told me we would score one run in 14 innings, I would have said there's no way," University coach Jon Schuh said.

The Titans could muster just three hits off Capital's sophomore pitcher, Stephanie Kurz. University doubled its hit production against Bothell, but managed just the one run.

"We need to get our bats going," said University pitcher Megan Owen, a senior. "We're facing better pitching than we've seen all season."

Capital 1, University 0

Owen and Kurz dominated the batters throughout. Owen pitched out of a jam early, striking out two batters with Cougars runners on second and third in the second inning. Kurz gave up one hit through four innings, a double to Lindsey Steblaj in the third.

Capital's break came when U-Hi catcher Jennie Shollenberger threw high to first on a bunt by Megan Ross. Ross came around to score an unearned run on an infield single by Ashley Clinton.

Kate Pospisil's single in the fifth and Kara Jordan's bunt single in the sixth were all University could muster offensively the rest of the way.

"I don't know what happened. She wasn't that great of a pitcher," Pospisil said. "I don't think we were ready to play. It's tough because we had high expectations."

University 1, Bothell 0

Owen came through with another dominating performance, holding the Cougars to five hits. She also scored the winning run on an RBI single by Jill Oglesbee in the first inning.

"I thought the momentum might carry us through," Owen said of the two first-inning hits by the Titans.

Bothell pitcher Liz Gall recovered to allow just four hits, shutting out University the final six innings.

Owen gave up five hits while striking out five. Bothell threatened in the seventh when Katie Soule led off with a single. Owen then coaxed a fly out, groundout and strikeout to end the game.

"I was exhausted at that point," Owen said.

Kentlake 7, Shadle Park 6

Every time the Highlanders scored, the Falcons answered back. More often than not, Shadle Park contributed to Kentlake's offense.

That last mistake came in the bottom of the seventh as Kentlake rallied from a two-run deficit.

The Highlanders scored twice in the top of the seventh to take a 6- 4 lead. Shadle Park then allowed the first three Falcons batters to reach base in the bottom of the inning on a walk, an infield single and an error. Kentlake pulled to within 6-5 on a sacrifice fly, then tied the game with a single.

With runners at second and third with one out, Shadle Park shortstop Ashley Lynn fielded a grounder and threw to first for the second out. That allowed the runner to score the winning run from third base.

"It was all mental," said Shadle Park junior second baseman Katie Hoffman, who finished with two hits, including a double, two runs and two RBIs. "It's was a tough game - a tough loss."

Annie Boyd added three hits along with a run and an RBI for the Highlanders and Jessica Murray had two hits.

Shadle Park 3, Lake Washington 1

Dorthea Gooch singled and scored on a double by Hoffman in the first. Hoffman then scored on a sacrifice by Boyd to put Shadle ahead 2-0. Shadle Park added a run in the fifth when Gooch singled and scored on a groundout by Hoffman. Gooch finished 3 for 3 with two runs and four stolen bases. Hoffman hit a double and drove in two runs.

3A

Colville (16-6) bounced back from an opening loss by defeating Holy Names 8-5 in the consolation bracket at the State 3A tournament in Tacoma. Colville opened with a 7-0 loss to Jackson.

2A

Lakeside (21-3) won two of three games to advance in the consolation round of the State 2A tournament at Wenatchee's Walla Walla State Park. The Eagles opened with a 2-0 win over Cascade (Leavenworth), lost to Hoquiam 2-0 in the quarterfinals, then edged Orting 2-1. . . . Medical Lake (16-9) was eliminated after its 1-2 day. The Cardinals began with an 8-2 win over Orting, but dropped a 7- 0 decision to Rochester in the quarterfinals. Eatonville eliminated ML 9-6 in the consolation bracket.

1A/B

Kalama edged Freeman 2-1 in the semifinals of the State 1A/B tournament at Wenatchee's Walla Walla State Park. The loss dropped the Scotties (19-2) into today's 11:30 a.m. consolation against Toutle Lake. Freeman opened the day with a 9-1 win over Pe Ell. Leslie White pitched a one-hitter and struck out 15. Leslie Yunker hit a solo homer in the fifth and combined with Cristi Larson for five RBIs. . . . Kettle Falls (15-8) was knocked out after a 4-0 loss to Kalama and a 4-2 loss to Pe Ell.

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