Emeralds Win A Gem In 11th Inning

Indians/Area baseball

Jeff Spencer’s third hit, a single with the bases loaded in the 11th inning, allowed Eugene to defeat Spokane 5-4 Sunday night in Northwest League baseball.

Eugene’s come-from-behind victory leveled the five-game series at two wins apiece and spoiled another masterful pitching performance by Spokane left-hander Jason Gooding. Gooding pitched five innings of hitless ball and left with a 4-1 lead in the sixth.

The Indians and the host Emeralds meet in the rubber game tonight.

Eugene did not have a hit until Mike Terhune singled following a walk to Pooh Hines in the sixth. Spencer’s first single plated Hines to spoil Gooding’s shutout. 1/3 innings on Thursday night.

Hines drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the seventh before the Emeralds tied the score with a pair of runs in the eighth. Singles by Spencer and Manny Sanchez, a balk, a two-base error by Spokane right fielder Juan LeBron and a single by Stewart Smothers did the damage.

Castro’s second hit, an infield single, started Eugene’s 11th inning against reliever Jason Gilfillan. Collin Wissen was safe when Gilfillan mishandled his sacrifice bunt. After Hines sacrificed and Terhune walked, Spencer drove in the winning run.

American Legion

Bill Tincup rapped out a two-run triple and three singles Sunday, spurring the Cannons to a 15-9 victory over the Blue Devils that brought them the Spokane AAA American Legion baseball championship at Gonzaga University. The Blue Devils advance to play the Division 2 winner in tournament action that begins Saturday at Selah, Wash.

Sunday, Ben Miller matched Tincup’s four hits and Justin Folkins added a two-run, second-inning homer to the Cannons’ 18-hit attack. Ryan Corigliano had three hits for the Blue Devils.

The Panorama Twins pounded out 28 hits in 12 innings and swept Hess/Wheeler 17-4 and 14-3 at Jackson Field to win the AA district championship.

Bradey Noble’s three hits, which included two home runs, and five runs batted in led Panorama’s 15-hit attack in the opening game. Matt McGlothern had three straight singles to pace a 13-hit barrage in the nightcap.

Summer league

Sam Fleming of Whitworth College, Dave Wheeler of Washington State University and Brian Cox of Shorecrest Community College combined for a seven-inning no-hitter in the nightcap as the Spokane Red Sox swept the Trail Orioles 12-2 and 4-2.

, DataTimes