Spokane Nitro Reaches Semifinals Of Western Tourney

The Spokane Nitro won two games Saturday to reach the semifinals of the American Softball Association Junior Olympics Western Area Championships at Evanston, Wyo.

In the quarterfinals, the Nitro defeated Softball Express of Yuma, Ariz., 8-3.

Trailing 3-2 in the fourth inning, the Nitro rallied for six runs, with the key hit being Ashley Lynn’s bases-loaded single.

The Nitro turned a key double play in the top of the fourth when center fielder Jennie Shollenberger caught a pop fly and threw home to catcher Jamie Darby, who tagged a runner attempting to advance from third base.

Also, the Nitro defeated the Diamond Backs from Hillsboro, Ore., 1-0. Tara Malmquist scored from third base on a passed ball and Jessica Murray pitched a complete-game five-hitter. She struck out nine batters and walked none.

The Nitro is one of two teams remaining in the winners bracket. As the tournament plays out, Spokane is guaranteed no worse than third place.

On Friday, the Nitro defeated Rock Springs (Wyo.) 9-1 and Pajaro Valley (Watsonville, Calif.) 3-2.

Baseball

The Spokane Heat and the Spokane Ice split a doubleheader in opening-day play of the 1997 Pride of America Championships.

The Heat won the opener 16-3. Patrick Stiffler went 3 for 3 (including a home run), drove in five runs and scored three times for the Heat in the game played at McEwen Field in Coeur d’Alene. Grant Reeves hit a grand slam and a solo home run for the Heat. Ricky Pettit scattered 10 hits in a complete-game pitching performance.

In the second Heat-Ice game, Levi Mesenberg pitched a six-hitter and Justin Folkins went 2 for 4 as the Ice prevailed 8-5.

Also at Coeur d’Alene, Baseball Academy of Oregon defeated the Vancouver Storm 9-4 and 10-6. Oregon’s Jeremy Lahmann hit two home runs and drove in five runs in the second game.

In the only game reported from among four games played at Freeman High School, the Prosser Thunder defeated Grocery Outlet of Freeman 10-7.

Track and field

Spokane-area athletes Rich Tucker and Calvin Brown won medals at the National Masters Track and Field Championships in San Jose, Calif.

Tucker placed second in the men’s 50-54 800 meters in 2 minutes, 11.08 seconds.

Brown took third in the men’s 60-64 5,000 meter race walk in 29:54.5.

, DataTimes