League Mvp Sparks Team

League most valuable player Steve Chamberlain pitched and batted the Pullman Patriots over the Royals 6-4 Tuesday, as the loser-out portion of Spokane’s Senior American Legion playoffs began.

Chamberlain pitched a complete-game seven-hitter, and drove in two runs while going 3 for 3 with a double at Jackson Field. Richard Brown homered for the Royals.

Third-seeded Pullman eliminated the No. 6 Royals to advance to a best-of-3 series against the No. 2 Blue Devils. The teams meet at 6 tonight, in a single game at Gonzaga University.

In the late game at Jackson, Ryan Pugh struck out 13 and Kent Hibbard homered as the No. 4 North Stars eliminated the No. 5 Cannons 5-3.

Taylor West, Cameron Bowers and Andy Bayne were all 1 for 3 with doubles for the North Stars. Justin Folkins went 2 for 3 for the Cannons with a double.

The North Stars begin a best-of-three series with the league-champion Bandits tonight. The teams will play at 6 and 8 at Jackson.

Chamberlain was named MVP and Chris McMurtrey of the Bandits was selected as most valuable pitcher in all-league selections announced Tuesday.

Chamberlain batted .419 with a league-leading 21 doubles, and finished 4-2 with a 2.43 earned-run average. McMurtrey (5-1) struck out 77 and had a 2.57 ERA.

Other first-team selections were West, pitcher, North Stars; Brad Valkenaar, pitcher, Bandits; Brandon Florence, catcher, Bandits; Eric Bell and Chris Eggleston, infielders, Blue Devils; Ben Miller, infielder, Cannons; Steve Socha, infielder, Bandits; Garth Haskins, outfielder, Royals; Justin Drake, outfielder, Bandits; Chris Hilsabeck, outfielder, Cannons; Bryan Schutz, utility, North Stars; and Aaron Farr, designated hitter, Blue Devils.

Pullman’s Lance Lincoln was named coach of the year.

The Junior Legion playoffs began with a shocker, as Dan Lafferty pitched a five-hitter to lead fourth-seeded Pepsi/CCS over the North Division champion Panorama Twins 4-2 at Whitworth College.

Jerin Harper scored on George Bell’s suicide squeeze in the third for the go-ahead run. Panorama entered the game 20-0.

Cole Hockett’s bad-hop, two-run single with two out in the sixth snapped a 1-all tie as No. 3 Granny’s Buffet defeated the No. 2 Mead Boosters 5-1 at Mt. Spokane High.

Josh Cowart hit a solo homer in the seventh and Granny’s turned three double plays for Jamie Ham (6-1). Kevin Sullivan of Mead tied the game in the fifth with a single.

Chris Barth threw five innings of three-hit, shutout ball as South Division No. 3 Spokane Olympic Sports defeated No. 2 Spokane Athletic Supply 8-0 at Central Valley.

Adam Curryer doubled twice and had two RBIs, and Josh Thompson and Mike Johnson added RBI doubles for SOS.

Also in South playoffs, Jared Roberts’ two-run single in the first inning and Nick Bozo’s RBI triple in the fifth lifted division champion Kimmel over No. 4 Whitman County 7-5 at GU.

Evan Stancil (6-1) struck out four and pitched a complete game for Kimmel.

Opening-round playoffs continue today and, if necessary, Thursday.

Youth football

Spokane-area fifth- and sixth-graders will be afforded the opportunity to play tackle football this fall.

Spokane and Valley YMCAs are forming the contact Grid Kids Football League, with practices beginning Aug. 24.

YMCA spokesman Pat Estes estimated there will be 13 20-player teams based upon returns from a questionnaire sent out this year.

Tackle football has not been played by area public-school youngsters until middle school.

Appleway Automotive Group and Coca-Cola contributed the $50,000 equipment cost to start the program. Fees will be $100 for YMCA members or $125 for limited members.

Players can register at the downtown YMCA, 507 N. Howard, or the Valley YMCA in Tidyman’s at 13014 E. Sprague. Telephone 927-1474 or 838-3577 for information.