Six Teams In Close Race For Gsl Baseball Title
Six teams are but two wins away from securing the available berths in the Greater Spokane League baseball playoffs.
All six, however, still aspire to much more. As of this week, a league championship for all six is realistic.
Only 1-1/2 games separated them with six remaining dates on the GSL schedule. Included are North Side schools Shadle Park and Mead.
Of the remaining 24 games, 11 pit the contenders against each other.
The quest begins today when co-runner-up Shadle (7-3) plays Central Valley, winners over three contenders last week, at Seafirst Stadium. Mead (6-3) hosts league leader Ferris (7-2) at 3:45 p.m.
Shadle also has games remaining against Mead next Tuesday and Ferris and University (7-3) in the season’s final two games.
Mead must play the Titans, Gonzaga Prep and Central Valley, who are both 6-4.
Finishing first in league assures a team of a berth in the regionals at Seafirst Stadium on May 18. Placing second means a team can save its pitching ace in the game for the other regional spot.
Third through sixth finishers are in a battle of attrition. To qualify for regionals, they will play four times between May 10 and 14 in the district tourney.
Highlander Joe Baune had six hits in Shadle’s two wins last week. Going into the week, Joe Walters was hitting .500 and Josh Gilbert .421. Pitchers Eric Hayden and Matt Leizen led the league in earned run average, although Leizen was beaten 8-4 by U-Hi last week.
Mead girls seek to extend record
Mead’s girls track team is seeking its fourth straight league championship today.
The Panthers host the GSL’s remaining unbeaten teams, University and Ferris.
Incredibly, the Panthers will be favored in only two individual track events and three field events. Autumn Wood is the state leader with 14.9 and 45.0 times in the 100 and 300 meter hurdles. Defending state champion Allison Beatty has a 144-2 javelin state best.
Team depth that manifests itself in three strong relays will be the difference if the Panthers repeat.
Pirates flirt with disaster
Last year’s state runner-up softball team, Rogers High, is in danger of not making the playoffs this season.
Without a pitching stopper, the Pirates are 3-7 and seventh place in league. Five of six remaining games, including Friday at league leader Mead, come against teams already closing in on district berths.
The 8-1 Panther softball team was beaten for the first time this season but didn’t surrender its GSL lead.
Katrina Morton and Holly Vanwert combined for seven hits during two 4-2 decisions, a loss to CV and a win over Lewis and Clark.
North Central won two of three games and shares third place.
, DataTimes