State softball: Central Valley finds itself and returns to state tournament

Last season, Central Valley placed third and outscored its opponents 41-12 in the State 4A fastpitch softball tournament – the best finish in program history.

Considering the Bears graduated Greater Spokane League MVP pitcher Kelsey Gumm and first baseman Hannah Wampler – both of whom were honorable mention selections to the Washington State Softball Coaches Association 4A all-state team – few people expected CV to replicate that success in 2019.

But as the state tournament opens on Friday at Dwight Merkel Sports Complex, CV hopes to do just that – and maybe more.

“If you would have told me back on Feb. 25 that we were going to be co-GSL champions, I don’t know if I would have agreed with you,” Bears coach Joe Stanton said. “But looking back through the year, this is a product that belongs at the top.”

CV lost two of its first four games this season but finished tied with rival University atop the GSL’s 4A standings and earned the league’s top seed into districts by sweeping the season series with the Titans, including a 3-0 win in the regular-season finale.

Then, after a 14-4 win over Walla Walla in the first round, CV beat Lewis and Clark in 10 innings to clinch its second consecutive berth to state before losing in the championship game of the District 8 tournament.

“We came out a little slow and we didn’t really know who we were,” Stanton said. “I mean, we start a couple of freshmen (first baseman Emma Schulhauser and outfielder Carly Imes) and we’ve got a senior (Cheyenne Parker) in the circle – but this is her first year playing fastpitch.

“We didn’t know what we had.”

They definitely had defense.

“I’ve got probably probably the best middle infield I’ve ever had in our corner,” Stanton said. “And Grace Stumbough, my God, she is just an absolute stud in center field, not only with the plays but as a leader.”

With Stumbough, a first-team All-GSL and second-team all-state selection last season anchoring the defense, the Bears have improved on offense and developed a trust in one another.

“At the beginning of the season, we were kind of worried because we lost Kelsey and we didn’t know who was going to show up,” Stumbough said. “Once we saw Cheyenne and how passionate she was, I think our team bond got stronger and, honestly, I think that’s what led us to state.

“We’re going to pick each other up, no matter what.”

After Parker threw a complete game with seven strikeouts in her first start against LC in the league opener on April 10, the Bears lost to Mead 5-4 and fell to 2-2.

But two days later, they rallied from an early seven-run deficit to beat U-Hi 14-13 on a walk-off single by sophomore catcher Julia Andrews in the eighth inning – the first of CV’s 13 wins in 14 games before falling to Richland to finish second in the District 8 tournament.

“I think the biggest thing for us is our confidence in ourselves,” senior third baseman Jordan Williams said. “We know who we are and who we can be.”

While the Bears don’t have the dominant ace they had in Gumm – who went 1-4 with three saves and a 2.91 ERA as a frosh at Seton Hall this season – CV doesn’t have a glaring hole, either.

Shortstop Gianna McCoy led the GSL with 29 hits. Stumbough and junior second baseman Suheyla Tanak had seven doubles apiece, tied with LC’s Jasmine Ereaux for most in the league.

Andrews finished with 25 RBIs, one shy of the GSL lead.

“I don’t know if they really have a weakness, honestly,” Mt. Spokane coach Carl Adams said of the Bears. “They’re solid defensively and their lineup is tough, one through nine. They work the count and have quality at-bats from top to bottom.”

Now, CV has a chance to again make a run at a title when the Bears take on Tahoma at noon.

“They’re pretty good, I know that,” Stanton said of Tahoma. “If we play solid defense behind Cheyenne, I think we can make some noise.”