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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Eagles Seem To Have Ev’s Number In Baseball

No matter what type of season West Valley’s baseball team has had in recent years, the Eagles have maintained a hex on rival East Valley.

Over the past six seasons, WV has won two-thirds of the time against the Knights. Last Friday’s sweep put a team that had won two of its previous seven Frontier League games back in the playoff picture.

“We have East Valley’s number,” said coach Ray Riggin, himself an EV graduate. “Now we’re in great position to help ourselves.”

The Eagles (4-5) won 8-3 and 15-6, improving their runs per game average to 9.4 per league contest. They have given up an identical number.

“We took the worst infield I’ve had in coaching,” said Riggin. “I was so mad I called it off halfway through. They came back and played like barnburners.”

In the process sophomore centerfielder Chris Hilsabeck improved his team-leading batting average to .531, Brian Lawler (6 for 9 with two doubles), improved to .455 and Jeremy Isherwood (5 for 6), raised his average to .438.

It also marked the return to the mound of of previously sore-armed Jason Phillipe, who threw a complete game.

“Last year with an all-experienced varsity we started 1-3 and jelled,” said Isherwood.

This year’s team, with a bunch of new players, took a bit longer.

Unbeaten Cheney leads the league. Every other team has three losses or more.

“Personally I want Cheney to run away with league,” said Isherwood, noting that it would help WV.

The losses, and one Tuesday to Colville, dropped the Knights to 4-5 in league.

Bears, Titans play Friday

Central Valley and University are in the middle of a series of baseball games that can make or break them in the taut Greater Spokane League.

One of those pits the two district rivals against each other at U-Hi on Friday. The two teams are part of a six-team deadlock for third place in league.

The Bears are coming off a 12-1 loss to offensively potent Mead on Tuesday that deprived them of a share of second place and dropped them back into the pack.

Following a slow start in which the team scraped out one win in three games, the team had moved up with a pair of decisions, one by sore-shouldered pitcher Erick Eigenhuis. He couldn’t get the third.

Offensively, until Tuesday the team had done fine. Ben Miller has 14 hits in the team’s six games and Raif Jochim followed him with 10.

University won two of its first five games thanks to strong pitching outings by Sean Ruscio. Ruscio has allowed six runs in 22 innings of work, winning twice.

Last call for baseball

Time is running short for anyone still wishing to sign their youngsters up for Spokane Valley Baseball.

A late fee of $5 in addition to regular fees for various leagues will be charged.

Valley Baseball is for youngsters ages 5-14, beginning with tee-ball, graduating to coach-pitch Mini Pee Wees and including Pee Wee, Midget and Giant Leagues.

The Valley Baseball office is behind Spokane Olympic Sports, 12505 E. Sprague. Call 922-0420 for information.

YMCA sports registration

Openings are still available for Valley YMCA gymnastics, karate and baseball programs.

Gymnastics will be Monday and Wednesdays, 5 p.m., at Progress Elementary and karate will be Mondays and Wednesdays at Adams and Tuesdays and Thursdays at University Elementary beginning April 28.

Baseball for youngsters age 4 through fourth grade will begin April 26 through June 7.

To register, call the Valley Y office, 927-1474.

, DataTimes