Gonzaga Prep earns first win in nearly two seasons in extra-innings thriller | Softball notebook
Apr. 2—When Katie Rowe took over the Gonzaga Prep slowpitch and fastpitch softball programs in the fall of 2024, she knew there was work to be done to get the Bullpups into the Greater Spokane League mix. In those two seasons since, the slowpitch team won two games — one each season, but the wins weren't translating to fastpitch with Prep's last victory coming in April 2024.
That was until last Friday. Senior Emma Allbery hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning to lead the Bullpups to their first victory in nearly two years with a 15-14 win over visiting Shadle Park. "I think it was the mark of a new chapter for us," Rowe said.
"A lot of these girls either haven't had a varsity win or it's been a few years. Our coaching staff has just been reassuring them that they've made great progress over the past two years, telling them that we see their growth and it was amazing to finally see it pay off on the scoreboard. " The victory over the Highlanders came just one day after Prep dropped a 7-6 heartbreaker in nine innings at Central Valley.
But Rowe said stringing together close results is a testament to how far her team has come. "We've really been working on mental toughness, because we know physical mistakes are going to happen to any team," Rowe said. "How do we keep fighting, how do we keep battling?
Because we know we have enough skill to put the ball in play and score runs. It's just staying focused and not thinking we are out of any game. " The Bullpups (1-6, 1-5 GSL) especially showed that grit in the Shadle win.