Former Whitworth Player Returns To Coach Baseball Squad

Whitworth College announced Thursday that alumnus Keith Ward has assumed baseball coaching duties from recently departed Rod Taylor.

Ward, a 1977 graduate of Lewis and Clark High, played second base for the Pirates from 1978-81.

He becomes the eighth alumnus to coach Whitworth baseball since Paul Merkel began his tenure in 1955.

Ward said he has contacted all but one returning Pirates player and is busy recruiting others, especially pitchers.

Ward teaches physical education at Colbert Elementary. He founded and owns Northwest Baseball Academy, a summer camp for kids, and has coached American Legion baseball.

“I owe much of who I am to Whitworth baseball,” Ward said. “Baseball helped me get to college. I met my wife there, and now have a nice family, and the great friends I had while on the team are still my friends today.”

Ward’s wife, Stacey, coached Ferris to last year’s Greater Spokane League volleyball title.

“Keith is a great hire for Whitworth,” said Whitworth director of athletics Scott McQuilkin, the baseball coach from 1985-90.

Taylor, who resigned to take a teaching position at Spokane Community College, was 66-81-1 in four years. The Pirates finished third in the Northwest Conference of Independent Colleges last season at 16-7.

Golf

Wandermere’s Matt Kodama advanced to today’s 36-hole final of the 43rd Pacific Northwest Boys Amateur Championship at Skagit Golf and Country Club in Burlington, Wash.

Kodama defeated Derek Berg of Tall Chief Golf Course 1-up in the quarterfinals and Court Watson of Quilchena Golf and Country Club 1-up in the semifinals.

Kodama will meet Andrew Douglas of Meridian Valley Country Club in the championship flight.

Spokane’s other quarterfinalists, Jared Herling of Downriver and Reid Hatley of Manito, both lost.

Bridget Johnson of Hangman Valley beat Erin Kennedy of Morningstar 2-up to win the first flight of the 42nd Pacific Northwest Junior Girls Amateur Championship at Wing Point Golf and Country Club in Bainbridge Island, Wash.

Manito’s Sarah Bassett won the ninth flight, topping Jamie Michaud of Tacoma 4 and 3.

Lynnwood’s Jimin King beat Megan Radonich 5 and 4 in the championship flight.

Area flight runners-up were Erica Leslie of Manito, Melanie Larocque of Birdies and Jenny Dolph of Washington State University.

Brenda Hall of Liberty Lake finished at 240 over three rounds to defeat Downriver’s Megan Thrash by one stroke at the Spokane Area Women’s Golf Association city championship at Hangman Valley.

, DataTimes