Gar-Pal softball off to strong start

After winning five games last year to finish third in a four-team league, the Gar-Pal Vikings softball team has already won five this year.

Playing in Garfield Tuesday night, the Vikings (5-2) beat Troy in extra innings when Cassie Martin hit a game-winning shot for a 6-5 final score.

“It probably would’ve been a triple,” said fourth-year head coach Steve Witthuhn. “It was smoked out there.”

Martin did not need to finish the play because the run she drove in ended the game. The hit was her third of the afternoon.

On the mound, Chandler Pfaff pitched for the Vikings, going all eight innings with seven strikeouts.

“She’s our main pitcher,” said Witthuhn. “She’s done really well.”

On Saturday, Gar-Pal split a double-header at Liberty Christian, winning 7-4 and losing 23-16. In the victory, Martin had a double and single to drive in four runs. Meanwhile Pfaff threw 11 strikeouts in seven innings.

Gar-Pal will play next at Touchet Friday for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m.

The S.E. 1B league has five teams in it this year, one more than 2012 with the addition of Liberty Christian. Rounding out the league are Colton, Touchet and Pomeroy.