A group of West Valley seniors patiently awaited their opportunity to play varsity baseball.

As a result, they changed the attitude of their coach.

“We had the most talent in league last year and lost everybody,” said Eagle mentor Ray Riggin. “I thought, ‘Man, this will be a horrible year.’ And look what happened.”

The Eagles (15-7) have won 12 of their last 14 games, including nine in a row, and won district over league champion Cheney.

Today at 10 a.m. at Seafirst Stadium, the Eagles play Mid-Valley No. 2 seed Eastmont in State AA Region IV baseball.

“Kids grow, kids change, anything can happen,” Riggin now admits. “I think I’m a better coach because of what these guys taught me.”

Only four players, third baseman Jeremy Isherwood, sophomore centerfielder Chris Hilsabeck, catcher Brian Lawler and pitcher Jason Phillipe are back from last year’s varsity.

That squad, loaded with three-year starters, tied for first place but lost to East Valley in districts.

The rest of this year’s team is made up of first-year varsity seniors and one other sophomore who gained experience with a title contending American Legion AA team.

“I told these guys last year that I know it’s tough they’re not getting a chance like they normally would, but that they would get a chance this year and needed to make the best of it,” said Riggin.

The day after Tuesday’s 6-5 win over Cheney, he met with his team and said, “You guys made the best of it.”

Following a 2-5 start, sophomore Ian Harty moved from second base to shortstop, and senior Kevin Risley went from the bench to second team All-Frontier second baseman.

A junior varsity player last year, Jason Brown has provided the team late-season power hitting and a .391 average behind leaders Hilsabeck (.456) and Isherwood (.404).

The success story, said Riggin, has been pitching ace Tyler Hall.

“He’s a kid who had every reason to quit and had every reason to do so,” said Riggin. “He would have been cut in a larger program, but blossomed because of a smaller atmosphere of WV.”

Hall beat Cheney Tuesday for an 8-1 record, Despite the fact WV was outhit 12-5 the team figured out a way to win, including an early double-steal for an important run.

“It was one of those games you kinda wondered how you won it,” said Riggin. “Could this be a team of destiny?”

The Eagles will find out today.

Eagles, Knights advance in softball

West Valley and East Valley continue their quests for State AA softball berths at 11 a.m. today in Medical Lake, following first-round district playoff wins.

WV beat Lakeside 8-2 and EV topped Kettle Falls 6-1 on Rebecca Triplett’s no-hitter.

The Eagles are seeking their 11th state trip in 13 years, when they play Cheney. East Valley meets Frontier League champion Colville for a second berth.

Seeking the third state berth, Freeman’s best-ever fast pitch team meets either EV or Colville in loser-out play.

After losing in eight innings to Cheney, the Northeast A district champion Scotties have their work cut out for them.

They eliminated Lakeside 8-2 and need to win twice more.

During the year Freeman seniors Brook Watson batted .479, designated hitter Jeanne Burton hit .424, shortstop Angela McCathern hit .403 and outfielder Joanna Ramsey hit .393.

Freshman Leslie White, who became Freeman’s exclusive pitcher as the season progressed, hit .483.

Togetherness wins GSL tennis

There were no stars, and therefore not a lot of individual recognition. Collectively, however, Gonzaga Prep’s girls tennis team was unbeatable.

“No one could be singled out, it was such a team effort,” said second-year coach Donna Lenseigne, who preached selflessness. “A win at No. 3 doubles was just as important as at No. 1 singles.”

The Bullpups surprised even their coach by going 8-0 and winning 50 of 56 matches against Greater Spokane League opponents.

“Actually I didn’t think we would have it that easy,” said Lenseigne.

The Bullpups won five times by shutout. Three doubles teams of Valleyite Alecia Nelson and Kristen Casey, Vanessa Waldres and Wendy Lin, Kara Clavio and Erin Janosky went undefeated.

Two singles players, freshmen Lisa Van Gemert and Ali Powers, were 6-2 in league. The other two, Valley resident Kendra Leyda and Krista Kubiak went 7-1.

Gonzaga Prep’s girls and boys combined to win tournaments in Lewiston and the Tri-Cities.

“They were very talented,” said Lenseigne. “They were also very committed, very supportive and had team spirit. It’s been a wonderful year.”

Leyda and Nelson combined in doubles, and joined the Powers-Kubiak doubles team and Van Gemert in this weekend’s regional state qualifying meet.

Also in regionals are the University High doubles team of Gretchen Smith and Genny Hartman, and Prep boys singles players Luke Witt and Riggs Kubiak.

Valley quartet to state

Four Valley Frontier League athletes have qualified for varying state tournament competition.

West Valley’s Keli Heidenson won the boys singles championship and East Valley’s Sharon Wentz finished second in girls to earn state berths in tennis.

WV’s Melanie Laroque, whose opening-round 82 gave her a cushion, won district girls golf by seven strokes at 174, and teammate Amy Wieber was fourth with 190, both reaching state.

Gymnast wins state title

Lilac City Gymnastics Center competitor Heather Malott won the Washington State Level 6 all-around championship in her age group.

Malott, 13, was competing against 70 other gymnasts during the three-day state meet at the Whitworth College Fieldhouse.

Baseball umpires needed

Youth baseball umpires are needed for the Spokane Valley Baseball Giants League.

“We’d like them to be 16 and older so they can drive to the games,” said SVB director Mike Asan.

Giants games, for players age 13 and 14, are played on Monday and Wednesday at 6 p.m. and pay $18.

Contact Asan at 922-0420.

The youth league has grown to 103 teams this year with 42 of them in the 5-6 Tee-Ball and 7-8 Mini Pee Wee age groups.

There are 27 Pee Wee, 23 Midget and 11 Giants League teams.

The season begins in June.

, DataTimes