CV Baseball Makes It Without Ace

Central Valley’s baseball team had to make do for much of this season without its pitching ace, Erick Eigenhuis, but the team managed just fine.

Eigenhuis had displayed an eye-popping 90-mile-per-hour fastball in preseason, but pitched in only three games, including Tuesday’s shutout win over Rogers, games after experiencing tendinitis in his shoulder.

Still, the Bears shared second place with a 10-6 record in the Greater Spokane League, heading into this week’s district playoffs. “We’d be league champions if we had him,” said coach Ed Garcia. “This team is as good as anybody.”

CV finished the season with three wins last week, including 6-5 over league champion Mead and 7-5 over fifth-place rival University.

“What I said was we didn’t want to crawl into the playoffs,” said Garcia, prior to its four-run seventh inning that stymied Mead. “I said to go in with pride and beat the No. 1 team in league.”

CV’s pitcher-by-committee approach got the job done this spring. Ten different hurlers worked in 16 games. The unquestioned workhorses were Nate Bartlett, with 10 appearances, and Brian Chance, with seven.

“Bart’s competed his butt off,” said Garcia. “Brian has been a pleasant surprise. He’s 3-1 with a 1.00 ERA.”

Chance saved Bartlett’s victory over U-Hi, facing three batters, striking out two and inducing an infield popup.

The Bears trailed 3-0 in the first inning before Raif Jochim hit a two-run, third-inning double. Chad Adamson and Justin Folkins hit run-scoring doubles during the four-run fourth. Adamson singled home Jared Wilson, who had tripled in the fifth.

Folkins, who had two doubles in the game, also had a two-run double in the decisive seventh against Mead.

“Justin has had a wonderful season as a sophomore,” said Garcia. “All have contributed in their own way.”

Jochim pitched, played third base and batted cleanup. Junior shortstop Ben Miller hit safely in every game but one this year. Included were three straight against U-Hi as he and Adamson had five hits apiece in last week’s games.

The Bears won with offensive speed and power.

And, in the absence of Eigenhuis, strength of will.

WV, EV get what they want

West Valley and East Valley both got what they wanted from last Saturday’s season-ending Frontier League baseball doubleheaders.

EV’s split with Colville left West Valley second in league and host of the this week’s district tournament.

The Knights reached district as well when Pullman swept Clarkston in their twin bill. EV tied with Pullman and Clarkston for fourth place, but won two of three games against each to advance.

Tuesday afternoon, WV moved a step closer to the State AA tournament with its 7-0 win over the Knights.

Tyler Hall, the surprise ace of the Eagle staff, stymied EV on three hits after the Knights had begun the playoffs with a 15-8 win over Colville. Saturday, at noon, the whole process in this double elimination tournament begins again.

EV must win three straight games without a loss, the Eagles but once in two tries to qualify for state.

“This win was absolutely huge,” said West Valley’s coach, Ray Riggin.

Hall, who played two years of freshman baseball just to stay in the program and was junior varsity last year, won his seventh in a row for a 7-1 record.

Brian Lawler’s two-run double followed by Jason Brown’s two-run homer in the first was all the support he needed.

Brown and Jeremy Isherwood added home runs later in the game.

EV’s initial win was sparked by Bill Tincup, who hit a three-run homer and had four hits in the game.

Regional softball at stake

Central Valley’s softball team plays for a regional berth Thursday against Ferris at Franklin Park.

The winner will join league champion University (16-0) and runnerup Mead (12-4) in the regional tournament at Moses Lake the following weekend. Loser is done for the year.

Games Friday and next Tuesday are for seeding purposes.

The Bears (11-5), a state tournament qualifier last year, were in position for a top-two finish until losses last week to Mead and U-Hi.

The team, which beat Rogers 3-2 in its season finale, has been led offensively this year by infielder Amanda Del Mese, who had two four-hit games, pitcher Tori Mills and sophomore catcher Dawn Stangland.

Hangman Valley Captain’s Cup

First round of the Hangman Valley Ladies Golf Club Captain’s Cup went to Marlene Thies with a low net 68.

Winner of concurrent putting competition was Dorothy Womach, who needed just 29.

Liberty Lake 9-Hole play

During last week’s medal play for Liberty Lake Ladies 9-Hole Golf Club members, Adrienne Wilson shot low gross 55 in A flight.

B flight winner was Shirley Strate with 56. C flight went to Joan Rassley with 60.

D flight was won by Deanna Hauser with 71. And no-handicap winner was Mary Klassen with 65.

Net winners were Lorraine Martin in A with 37, Kathy March in B with 36, Helen Inman in C with 36 and Elberta Walker in D with 48.

, DataTimes