Carlson Comes Through For Lc

Chris Carlson insisted that he didn’t win the Greater Spokane League boys tennis title for Lewis and Clark on Thursday.

Yet Carlson was the final LC player on the court at Ferris, where a third-set tiebreaker would determine the crown.

Carlson, a junior, outlasted freshman Kevin Novan 6-1, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6) in No. 3 singles as the Tigers edged the Saxons 4-3.

Both teams entered with 5-0 league marks. University (3-3) is the top team left on LC’s schedule, so a third GSL title, and first outright since ‘91, appears assured.

“That’s the best high school match I’ve been a part of,” said Ferris coach Brian Sachse.

LC coach Jeff Norton predicted that Nos. 2 and 3 singles, and No. 2 doubles would sway the outcome. Ferris’ Scott Heyamoto and Brandon Dean rallied past Travis Stack and Curtis Haskins to win No. 2 doubles 6-7 (7-2), 6-1, 6-1, but LC held on in the other pivotal matches.

LC freshman Peter Johnson rediscovered his confidence to top David Huang 6-2, 5-7, 6-0 at No. 2 singles. Huang trailed the second set 5-2 before Johnson’s serve faltered, but Huang’s momentum didn’t last.

Johnson’s win and an unexpected win at No. 4 singles from Kevin Carlson put LC ahead 3-2. Heyamoto/Dean tied the day 3-all, then everyone settled in to watch Novan and Chris Carlson.

Carlson led the third set, but double-faulted twice at 5-2. Novan later served to a 6-5 lead, but Carlson held to force a tiebreaker.

The sudden-death finish included four double-faults and several unforced errors.

“I was just emotionally drained,” said Carlson, who fell behind 5-2. “I knew the match and GSL title were on me. It was excruciating.”

Novan lost two service points, then shanked a shot at 6-4. Carlson took an edge with a solid return of serve at 6-all, then began a celebration when Novan hit a long return.

Gonzaga Prep (6-0) all but wrapped up its second consecutive girls title with a 6-1 win over visiting Central Valley (5-1).

Prep’s Lisa Van Gemert defeated Aaryn Volkmann 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-1 in No. 1 singles after trailing the second set 5-2. Bullpups No. 2 Vanessa Waldress won in straight sets after trailing the second 5-0. No. 3 Wendy Lin breezed 7-5, 6-3.

All three of the singles players are unbeaten in the GSL, as are No. 1 doubles Alecia Nelson and Molly Maixner, 6-0, 6-1 winners over Audrey Routt and Ellen Kager.

Baseball

Eric Sandberg tied the GSL’s single-season record with his eighth homer, a grand slam, as visiting Ferris (13-2, 12-1) posted a 16-0, five-inning win over G-Prep (6-9, 6-7).

Sandberg tied the record of G-Prep’s Steve Gleason (1995) and LC’s Richie Long (‘86).

Chris Schuchart, Marques Molett and Steve Socha also homered to support Sandberg (5-1), who struck out 10 and allowed just Zach Yarbrough’s single in the second. The Saxons have hit 25 homers this year.

Sam Hess tied another GSL record with his fifth triple, and Dan Thigpen (3-0) struck out seven and walked none as Mead (11-4, 10-3) defeated visiting LC 10-0.

Three others share the triples mark, most recently Cris Coffield of Rogers (‘90). Mead’s Matt Beal added two RBIs. LC is 8-7, 6-7.

Ben Miller’s bases-loaded triple in the fifth helped CV (10-5, 9-4) top Rogers 13-6 at Seafirst Stadium.

Joe Paventy had a two-run single during CV’s six-run first. Jeff Mace had two hits, including a double, for the Pirates (3-12, 2-11).

Josh Sheffield hit his seventh homer, a three-run shot in the first, and Chris Barth (3-1) pitched a three-hitter as University (8-7, 8-5) defeated visiting Mt. Spokane 12-2.

Brad Valkenaar, Brandon Florence and Marcus Merrifield also homered for the Titans, who have 16 this year. Robert Schuyler doubled for the Wildcats (2-13, 2-11).

Bret Wideman drew a game-winning, bases-loaded walk in the seventh, and Tim Snell and Derek Bishop homered as Shadle (6-9, 5-8) edged visiting North Central 11-10.

Bishop’s homer was a three-run shot in the first. GSL batting leader Aaron Farr of the Indians (6-8, 5-8) went 4 for 5, with a two-run homer.

Softball

Janessa Karstens (12-3) pitched a two-hitter, striking out seven, and hit a three-run homer as Mead (12-3, 10-3) defeated visiting LC 10-1 to knock the Tigers (7-7, 7-6) from fourth place into a fifth-place tie.

Karstens, with five homers, has more than every GSL team except Ferris. Rechelle Miller added an RBI triple for Mead.

Cheryl Andrizzi (14-0) and Megan Owen combined on a three-hitter as U-Hi (14-1, 13-0) defeated visiting Mt. Spokane 9-0 for its 13th consecutive win and 30 straight in the GSL.

Owen and Vanessa Shelton were both 3 for 4 with two runs, and combined for five stolen bases. The Wildcats are 3-10, 3-9.

Dorthea Gooch stole four bases as Shadle (9-5, 9-4) topped visiting NC 6-1 at Franklin Park. NC (3-11, 3-10) lost top hitter Stacy Fisher to a knee injury in the second.

Monica Abrahamson went 4 for 4, including a two-run homer in the third, as visiting Rogers (7-6, 7-5) defeated CV 7-2. Carlie Ostrom of the Bears (4-11, 3-10) went 2 for 3.

Justine Ruddell had a two-run single in the first and Annie Boyd added an RBI triple in the sixth as visiting Ferris (7-8, 7-6) defeated G-Prep 3-1. Katie Bowles of G-Prep (3-12, 2-11) had an RBI single.