Eagles Save Best For Last To Win Title

The thought going into the Frontier League softball season was that if West Valley or East Valley split their doubleheaders and won the single game of a five-game series, that team would be league champion.

Then the Eagles promptly lost the first twin bill to the Knights.

Shortly afterwards, WV three-year starter Rachelle Watson came to coach Steve Kent and said, “Now we’ll have to beat them three times by winning the single game and sweeping the next doubleheader.”

That’s precisely what happened. The Eagles outscored EV 20-3 on the road, including Thursday’s 5-0, 6-2 doubleheader sweep, to earn their fifth straight Frontier championship and ninth since 1985.

WV had just 12 hits when it lost its only two games to date. The team belted 38 hits in the next three meetings.

“That’s the problem with this game, you never know,” said Kent. “When you’re in a groove, you’re in a groove.”

Six girls had multiple-hit games on Thursday, including Kristy Alberts and Rachiah Boxley who did so in both contests.

Alberts hit a two-out, two-run triple to break open the first game. Angie Burtzoff, who hasn’t hit much this year, did so on a Kent hunch in game two and also hit a two-out, two-run triple.

Transfer pitcher Tamara Sherrill has made life without Darcy Sohns palatable. Sherrill improved her record to 8-1, including a three-hit shutout. She was also batting .500 going into the EV doubleheader.

“She’s been a nice free agent signee,” Kent quipped.

Hailey Henry was batting .412, Alberts .350, Watson .341 and Boxley .324. In 13 at bats another transfer newcomer Paula Davis is hitting .538. The team average is .342 while winning 16 of 18 games.

“I knew we had good hitters, one of the best teams we’ve ever had one through nine,” said Kent. “The question mark was how we’d come together with two new additions. Paula and Tamara have come up big.”

The early losses to EV, he said, proved to be a blessing in disguise. The Eagles came back with a resolve.

The result was another league title.

Miller scorching

University High’s Jaime Miller recorded the league’s fastest 800 and 1,600 meter times and the Titans finished fifth in Greater Spokane League girls track.

Miller timed 2:20.7 and 5:08.6, both four second seasonal personal bests, and won her showdown over Lewis and Clark’s Jamie Rosenquist in the bargain.

Under the new league divisional format, in which third place finishers met to decide fifth place, the Titans edged LC 72-69.

EV advances, WV and CV are done

Two of three Valley soccer teams saw their playoff seasons end.

East Valley ousted West Valley 2-1 and plays Cheney Saturday at 1 p.m. needing two wins to advance to state.

The Eagles had beaten Clarkston 1-0 in their playoff opener, while Central Valley, in its first playoff in six years, was beaten 4-1 by league co-champion Ferris.

Knights get it right

East Valley’s girls tennis team extracted emphatic revenge.

The Knights, who had lost a three-year unbeaten record, 4-3 to West Valley earlier this year, won 7-0 in their rematch.

Victory included Sharon Wentz’s 6-0, 6-4 win over Staci Heidenson to avenge a No. 1 singles setback.

The Knights and Eagles are tied for first place, with a Tuesday match remaining.

Liberty Cup round contested

Second round of the Liberty Lake Ladies 18-Hole Club Liberty Cup was conducted this past week.

Noreen Sale netted 70 for monthly honors.

During concurrent putting competition, Alice Shattuck led A flight with 29, Marion Jordan led B flight with 30, Sue Greany and Judy Stroup tied with 32 in C flight and Idell Jenicek won D flight with 30.

April’s best scores earned eclectic recognition. They included low gross of 75 by Patty Aunan in A flight, 88 by Carol Bettinger in B, 91 by Penne Parsons in C and 95 by Ella Leinwebber in D. Net eclectic included 61s by Jackie Shea in A, Donna Ogilvie in B, Kitty Duval and Sandee Kock in D. C winner was Connie Hatfield with 62.

Captain’s Cup tie at Hangman

There was a three-way tie for the monthly Captain’s Cup award for Hangman Valley Ladies Club members.

Diane Joss, Fran Nord and Leinwebber all netted 71.

Fewest putts overall were A flight golfer Dorothy Womach’s 29. In B, Alice Hamilton had 30, in C, Margaret Brashears took 34 and in D, Gloria Hemminger had 36.

Van Dinter is Painted Hills leader

Medal play among Painted Hills Ladies Club members featured a round of 47 by Sheryl Van Dinter.

She led A flight golfers, while Salle Banning shot 51 in B flight, Carole Grebe had 56 in C and Anabel Bainter shot 60 in D. No-handicap winner was Peggy Reid with 54.

Net winners were Greany with a 33 in A, Pat Reiter with 31 in B, Shirley Olson with 33 in C and Merilyn Lloyd with 34 in D. Martha Smith had a birdie on the ninth hole, while Pat Dayly on eight, Ellen Spalding and Betty Snow on three, all chipped in.

Tie for A flight lead at Valley View

Newly qualified for the A flight after establishing her handicap, Betty Grassl tied Ann Meyers for the best round with low gross 44.

Other low gross scores were by Ellen Lentes in B flight with 59 and Carolyn Michelli in C flight with 57. No-handicap winner was Eileen Cooper with 54.

Mary Ann Barham, with 28, had low net in A flight. Verna Lyonnais had 36 in C. In B, Jan Askey and Cleo Workland, who had a chip-in on the seventh hole, tied with 34.