Races Tightening As Girls Softball Season Nears Conclusion

Spokane Valley girls softball teams are entering the final stages of their season with two weeks of games still to be reported.

Close races continue with ties for first place in the 16-Under league, both divisions of the 14-Under and in the 10-Under National Division.

Only one game separates the top teams in each of the other divisions.

F&F Foundations and Pabco Roofing share the 16-Under lead following wins after the July 4th break. F&F won 17-2 over Toby’s Body and Fender and Pabco whipped Walt’s Mailing 23-1.

In another game, Ron’s Drive Inn scored 17 runs in the fourth inning. Three players had three hits in the contest, including Mandi Bean, who drove in three runs, Amy LeGrand, who had a bases-loaded triple and Jodi Stavenjord who hit two doubles, a triple and pitched four innings of 1-hit, 6-strikeout ball.

The hottest 14-Under race is the National Division, where three teams, Craig’s Automotive, Award Masters and Weft & Wheel are all 6-1.

In the 12-Under League, Yoke’s Pac’n Save is unbeaten and leads by half a game in the American. A&B Printing has a game lead in the National.

Also in that division, pitchers Stephanie Sherr and K.D. Stensgar combined for four shutout innings for Marvic Signs, the latter striking out six.

Silvey Construction won twice, Keri Murray with a grand slam home run in one game and four hits with a homer in the other. Carmen Engstrom and Robin Silvey also had four-hit games.

Mary Lou’s Ice Cream won by a run against the Mariners, Shelby Hughes and Allison Lake each having an unassisted double play while Erika Gunderson hit a 3-run double.

Conley’s Place and Pioneer Title are unbeaten in the 10-Under American Division and Crary and Clark leads American with a perfect record. In a 22-1 win, Anna Howard had four hits and seven RBIs, including a grand slam homer.

She teamed with Julie Hinkemeyer to pitch the win and Amanda Samuels also had four hits.

Heat win ‘Shoot-out’ tourney

The Spokane Heat, a Valley-based 16-under Spokane Fastpitch League softball team, finished first in one tournament and fifth in another.

Winners of four straight games, the team won the fifth annual Fourth of July Shootout at Franklin Park.

They beat the Helena Bearcats 4-2, Valley Villains 2-1, Sliders 2-1 and Lady Mavs 9-1 before a torrential rainstorm prematurely ended the event.

Pitchers Darci Sohns and Tori Mills shared game duties and were the leading hitters with .450 batting averages.

“Darci hit three straight home runs off three different pitchers,” said Coach Dick Mills. “Tori had two triples and a double.”

Last weekend the team went 3-2 in the Blaze Girls Fastpitch Tournament in Coeur d’Alene.

“We didn’t have the greatest weekend,” said Mills’ wife Sandy, alluding to misfortunes that included Kristi Schmitt’s broken jaw when she was hit by a ball.

Other Heat team members are Anna Agnew, Brook Egger, Darcie Jones, Amber and Rechelle Miller, Michelle Morgan, Karly Mosier, Jennifer Robinson, Katie Shrope and Andi Green.

The team has compiled a 32-8 overall record, shares the lead while playing up in the Spokane Fastpitch 18-Under League and was competing in its fifth tournament.

Junior golf program offered

For the fifth year, Spokane Junior Golf instruction is being offered to area youth ages 8-17.

The purpose is to teach fundamentals and rules of golf during 16 hours of instruction by local PGA professionals.

There are two week-long sessions, July 24-28 and July 31-Aug. 4. Cost is $50.

Once lessons are completed, each participant will play four golf matches during September and October, ending with a tournament at Downriver Golf Course, Oct. 13.

An intermediate program was introduced last year and an advanced program will be added this year at costs of $80 and $125 respectively.

For information and registration, contact Spokane Youth Sports Association and Rick Chase at 536-1800.

, DataTimes