Saxons Rout Mead

One could talk about the two-run homer and bases-clearing triple that Justin Drake hit Tuesday.

But why just talk about the second inning?

Drake’s entire day included two homers, a 4-for-4 effort at the plate, and seven runs batted in.

Drake put up those numbers in five innings, the time Ferris required to defeat Mead 15-5 in a Greater Spokane League baseball game at Whitworth College’s Merkel Field.

“He threw it where I could hit it, so I took a rip,” said Drake, although “he” could have meant either Panthers starter Dan Thigpen or reliever Dan Stucky, both of whom surrendered homers.

“I haven’t seen too many fastballs this year, so I was pretty excited when I saw some coming.”

Ferris’ win left both teams with 2-1 records, tied with North Central and Mt. Spokane, and trying to catch University (3-0).

Drake lined a homer to left field and tripled to right during the Saxons’ 13-run second inning. Ferris also scored 13 in an inning against Central Valley last week.

“What a day,” said Saxons coach John Thacker, referring to his team’s 18 hits and not to the 38-degree weather. “Everyone got a chance to swing.”

Ferris roughed up Thigpen (1-1), who had baffled CV last week during a GSL opener. The junior allowed 12 hits and 12 earned runs in 1-2/3 innings, many of the hits nearly kissing the first- and third-base lines.

Saxons starter Josh Mills, a Washington State University recruit, struck out five and walked two while pitching a six-hitter.

Drake, soon to be the property of the University of Washington, also singled in the first and lined a long homer to left-center in the fourth.

“We have a lot of guys who can swing the bat,” Drake said. “I was really proud of them today.”

Saxons designated hitter Brian Crowder doubled twice in the big second and finished 3 for 4, with three RBIs. First baseman Nick Bozo also had three Saxons hits.

Spokane Chiefs hockey player Lynn Loyns, just recently eligible for the Saxons, singled twice, walked twice, scored three times and scooped up every play at third.

Mead’s bright spot was junior Dan Staton, who went to shortstop in the second inning when starting shortstop Stucky relieved Thigpen. Staton’s first two at-bats were a solo homer and two-run single, both to left.

In other games, Chris Barth struck out seven and Mike Johnson homered as U-Hi stormed back from a 6-0 deficit to defeat visiting Shadle Park (1-2) 10-7.

Johnson homered off Justin Karle during the Titan’s nine-run second. George Bell homered in back-to-back innings and Brett Wideman added a solo homer for the Highlanders.

Mt. Spokane, just 2-16 last season, improved to 2-1 as Matt Binder hit a three-run homer and finished with six RBIs during a 10-9 win over visiting CV (0-3).

Mt. Spokane scored two runs in the seventh, the winner when Chris Hughbanks was hit by a pitch. Cole Hockett also homered and starter Cole Young struck out seven for Mt. Spokane. Justin Folkins had three hits for CV.

Taylor West hit a grand slam in the third and finished with five RBIs as Rogers (1-2) knocked NC (2-1) out of first place with a 14-4 win at Rogers.

Nick Scott and Mike Kuck were both 3 for 3 for the Pirates. Colin Shields struck out six, Pete Flatt had three RBIs and Nick Barnes homered to lead Lewis and Clark (1-2) to a 12-2 win at Gonzaga Prep (1-2).

Richard Schram added two doubles and Brian Betts had three hits for LC.

Softball

Kaylene Fountain struck out six and walked one to lift Lewis and Clark (2-0) to an 11-1 win at Gonzaga Prep (0-3).

Fountain and Jacki Parrott had two RBIs each for the LC, which tied U-High for first place. U-Hi’s home game against Shadle Park (1-0) was rained out.

LC scored eight in the sixth inning on eight hits and two errors. Katie Bowles had a sacrifice fly for G-Prep.

Jodi Hultquist struck out 10 and hit a two-run homer as Mt. Spokane (2-1) knocked Central Valley (2-1) out of first place with a 5-4 win at Mt. Spokane.

Shawna Powell was 3 for 3 for Mt. Spokane and scored the winner on Katie Fuller’s single in the sixth.

Jamie Merrill pitched a one-hitter and struck out 10 as Rogers (2-1) powered to a four-inning, 21-0 win at North Central (0-3).

Shronna Martin homered in the third for Rogers. Lindsey Nilles had NC’s hit, in the fourth inning.

Sara Rhodes drove in pinch-runner Sarah Ruthven with two out in the ninth to send Mead (1-2) past visiting Ferris (1-2) 6-5.

Boys soccer

Jared Stark scored twice in the first 45 minutes to lead visiting Deer Park (3-1-1) to a 7-0 win over Lakeside (0-6) in a Great Northern League match at Nine Mile Falls.