M&L;, Chapter 11-Longhorn Lead Legion Baseball Division
Through 11 dates, North Side teams M&L Construction and Chapter 11-Longhorn Barbecue had the early advantage in their division of American Legion baseball.
M&L, the entrant from Mead, won its initial four games, while Chapter 11, from Shadle Park (5-1), won five straight times through Monday.
Last week M&L swept the North Stars and beat the Hillyard Boosters and East Valley Merchants to lead the North Division.
John Barneson who left Northwest Christian for Mead last year, had seven hits for a team on which 15 players hit safely.
The team got no-hit pitching from Damian Long and a combined onehitter by Jeff Rinck and Pat Wise. Larry Carnahan pitched a pair of victories.
Chapter-Longhorn swept a doubleheader from the KC Stars and beat Key Bank, Washington Trust Bank and Hillyard Boosters.
A quintet of players wielded potent bats. Steve Schaber, Brett Corigliano and Gerritt Wideman all had seven hits. Joe Baune added six base hits and Christian Ross five.
The teams are being pursued by two others in their division, including Maxwell House (North Central), which was 2-1 heading into Tuesday’s games.
A move up in class
Moving up in class, the River City Rivals, a North Spokane 16-under fastpitch softball team, showed theirs.
The team finished seventh at a 28-team 18-under tournament in Bremerton.
“We went to challenge ourselves and did better than we thought,” said Coach Ken Van Buskirk.
The Rivals won four of their first five games by wide margins before losing to tournament runner-up Road Warriors. Other losses were to the fourth- and fifth-place finishing teams.
The Rivals outscored their opponents 35-13.
Two players, Theresa Palmer, who hit .438, and Riverside High School pitcher Janessa Karstens, who hit .375, made the all-tournament team.
“Ordinarily we wouldn’t be too happy with finishing seventh,” said Van Buskirk, “but we were pleased because we went for the experience of playing better teams.”
Another North Side athlete, Shanelle Test pitched her Diamond Magic 14-under team to second in a tournament in Helena.
“She pitched three consecutive games on Sunday, which is grueling for a 14-year-old.” said Coach Rick Muroya.
Both teams are part of the 26-team Spokane Girls Fastpitch Softball Association, which has play currently in progress.
National Junior Tennis under way
The National Junior Tennis League conducts its third session today at Mission Park at Mission and Perry beginning at 9 a.m.
The program for aspiring tennis players ages 8-17 will continue on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through July 20.
Youngsters ages 8-12 go from 9-10 a.m. Those ages 13-17 are from 10-11:30 a.m.
Interested persons can call the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department at 625-6200 or Ellen Nessen at 533-1055.
, DataTimes