Gu’S Bennett Signs With Mets

Right-handed pitcher Steve Bennett, who recently completed one of the most successful mound careers in Gonzaga University history, has signed a professional baseball contract with the New York Mets.

From Helena, Mont., Bennett posted a 9-4 record this spring with a 3.61 earned run average. The All-West Coast Conference pitched finished his four-year GU career ranked third in career strikeouts (260), fourth in innings pitched (306) and seventh in victories (21).

Bennett was drafted by the Mets in the 28th round of the 1999 amateur draft. He will begin his pro career with the Kingsport (Tenn.) Mets of the Class-A Appalachian League.

NAIA baseball

Reliever Wes Hutchison earned his second save of the tournament Wednesday as Lewis-Clark State defeated Dallas Baptist 4-3 in the NAIA World Series at Harris Field in Lewiston.

The top-ranked Warriors (57-12), the only unbeaten team remaining in the double-elimination tourney, play once-beaten Indiana Tech (47-21) tonight at 7. In a loser-out game, Dallas Baptist (42-22-1) plays The Masters College (37-14) at 3:30.

Elliott Strankman and Chad Kline each had two hits for LCSC. Starter Chris Mabeus earned his 11th win.

Rowing

Gonzaga University athletic director Mike Roth has erased the “interim” from the title of women’s crew coach Glenn Putyrae.

Putyrae, named interim coach last summer, guided the Bulldogs to a fourth straight West Coast Conference championship this spring, when he was named WCC co-coach of the year.

Prior to being promoted last summer, the 1994 graduate of the University of Washington served as Gonzaga’s freshmen coach from 1998-99.

In the summer of 1999, he served on the coaching staff of the U.S. national team, working extensively with the women’s single scullers from the junior national team.

Prep baseball

All-state baseball feeder games are scheduled today and Saturday at Rogers High.

The schedule is: Class 2A players vs. Class BB, 4:30 p.m. today; B vs. 1A/3A, 10 a.m. Saturday; 2A vs. 4A, 12:30 p.m. Saturday; and 1A/3A vs. 4A, 3 p.m. Saturday.

After the four games, an all-state committee will select 10 players for all-star games June 10 and 11 in East Wenatchee.

Basketball

Former Idaho Vandal Kaniel Dickens has an individual workout with the Seattle Sonics today and Vancouver on Sunday, Dickens’ agent Ben Pensack said.

Pensack said he’s received considerable interest in Dickens, who declared himself eligible for the NBA draft rather than return for his senior season at Idaho.

San Antonio and Houston have shown the most interest, Pensack said.

At present, Dickens probably isn’t on the list of 60 players who will be invited to a pre-draft camp in Chicago from June 6-12, Pensack said.

But that could change, the agent said. “Vancouver G.M. Billy Knight is on the pre-draft selection committee, so I’m hoping Kaniel can really make an impression on him,” Pensack said.

Auto racing

Les Billings made a pass on the inside of turn four on the final lap to win Stateline Speedway’s Wednesday Night Fever event. Billings ended the seven-race, two-month winning streak of Lonnie Stocker.

Earlier, Stocker established a new qualifying record, breaking a mark that had stood for more than three years. His 16.494-second lap in time trials eclipsed the mark set by Scott Perry in July 1997. Billings also won the heat and trophy dash races. Joel Schrader took over the lead with two laps remaining to win his second straight bump-to-pass main event.

This sidebar appeared with the story: BASEBALL Indians tickets

Individual tickets for Spokane Indians games will go on sale at 9 a.m. today.

Ticket prices are $6 for upper box and $4 for reserved bench seats. Seniors, children younger than 12 and military personnel save $1 on reserved bench seats.

Ticket packages and group outings also are available.

Spokane’s Northwest League season begins June 20 against Eugene at Avista Stadium. For tickets, telephone 535-2922 or 1-800-325-SEAT, or visit a G&B Select-A-Seat location.