SPOKANE - Moses Lake High School graduates Amanda McKenzie, Kirstin Gamboa and Heather Coulter are off to a strong start this season for the Spokane Community Colleges' softball team.

McKenzie and Gamboa are freshmen for the Sasquatch, while Coulter is beginning her sophomore campaign. All three players made significant contributions during Spokane's trip to Arizona last weekend.

McKenzie, who has seen action in center field and as a pinch runner, made a key defensive play in Spokane's win over Paradise Community College. McKenzie's diving catch in center prevented a couple runs from scoring.

Gamboa impressed Spokane's coaching staff last fall when she hit three home runs in a doubleheader with Washington State. Splitting time between outfield and designated hitter this spring, Gamboa had a key double in Spokane's win over Glendale Community College.

Coulter led the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges in earned-run average last season. She picked up where she left off in Arizona, picking up complete-game wins over Paradise, Glendale and South Mountain Community College.

Coulter struck out 21 batters and didn't allow a run in those three games, and earned a save in another game by coming on in relief to get out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam.

- Staff report