Sandberg, Hess Raise Standards

Pull out the erasers for the Greater Spokane League baseball record book.

GSL athletes, most notably Mead’s Sam Hess and Ferris’ Eric Sandberg, wiped away some of the league’s most cherished records.

Hess set the record for triples, tied the record for doubles, and, with Sandberg, set the record for runs. Sandberg shattered the league record for homers.

Hess, a senior catcher, had six triples, one more than the former record. His 12 doubles tied the mark set by University’s Kelly Asan in 1991. The record for runs was 30, set by two players, until Hess and Sandberg had 33.

Sandberg’s 11 homers are three more than the former mark. U-Hi’s Josh Sheffield reached that old standard with eight homers this year.

North Central senior catcher Aaron Farr hit .642, No. 2 all-time behind the .667 of Ferris’ Matt Sachse in ‘94. Hess hit .576, No. 4 all-time.

Sandberg, a senior pitcher/first baseman, finished with a 1.10 earned-run average, No. 7 in history. Sandberg’s 0.74 last year was third all-time.

It should be noted that GSL teams played two more games this year with the addition of Mt. Spokane. Former records were set in 16 games.

Region IV-4A Sandberg and Sheffield will take their cuts Saturday at Seafirst Stadium, as Ferris (19-2) and U-Hi (15-9) attempt to advance to the May 29-30 State 4A final four in Vancouver.

Ferris, the GSL’s No. 1 and winner of 18 straight, plays Big Nine No. 2 Pasco (17-7) at 10 a.m. Big Nine No. 1 Kamiakin (20-2) plays U-Hi at 1 p.m.

Winners play at 4 p.m. for a state berth.

U-Hi is the lone regional returner from last year. The Titans are also the last team to defeat Ferris.

Region IV-3A East Valley (17-5) and Selah open at 10 a.m. Saturday at Yakima County Stadium. The winner plays Lake Stevens or Moses Lake at 4 p.m. for a spot at the May 29-30 State 3A final four in Tacoma.

EV has won seven of its last eight.

Cheney was regional champion last year. Selah is the lone returner.

Region IV-2A: Colville (20-1), winner of 10 consecutive games, opens at 10 a.m. Saturday at Shadle Park against Naches.

Medical Lake (17-6) and Othello play at 1 p.m.

Winners play at 4 p.m. for a berth to the May 29-30 State 2A final four in Yakima.

Region II-1A: Colfax (18-3) plays Okanogan at 1 p.m. Saturday in Moses Lake. The winner plays at 4 against Royal City or Dayton for a berth to the State 1A championship game in Yakima.

The field is completely different from last year.

B regionals: Local teams are scattered, but the Region III tourney at Spokane Falls Community College features Tekoa-Oakesdale (15-4) vs. Curlew (20-5) and Davenport (18-2) vs. Almira/Coulee-Hartline (13-8).

St. George’s (22-3), which went 20-0 in the Panorama League, must travel to Region IV at Walla Walla and open against six-time defending State B champion DeSales (16-5).

Liberty (15-7) travels to Region II at Winlock against Orcas Island.

Curlew and Davenport played at region last year.

Regional champs advance to the May 29-30 state final four in Yakima.