Bandits, Cannons Get In Win Column

The Bandits and Cannons were seeking their initial victories of the American Legion Senior baseball league season on Sunday.

Both got their wish.

The two teams, made up of athletes from Valley high schools, split a doubleheader on a day when a handful of team members split their time between baseball and graduation ceremonies.

The Cannons, made up of Central Valley, East Valley and West Valley athletes, won the opener 4-3. The Bandits, with players from University, took the second game 5-0.

Both teams were back in action on Tuesday. The Cannons, with two returning players from last year’s state qualifier, knocked off previous league-leader Blue Devils 4-3 scoring two times in the bottom of the seventh. The Bandits continued to struggle, losing to the unbeaten North Stars 11-7.

During Sunday’s twin bill the Cannons lost a 2-0 lead, but rallied to win on a walk, error, wild pitch and sacrifice fly.

The Bandits responded with a shutout win in game two.

During Junior League play, West Valley swept Central Valley in a high-scoring doubleheader 13-12 and 18-4 to take over the South Division lead with a 3-0 record.

WV, made up of players that won the A League a year ago, pounded out 16 hits in the second game, four by Brent Mertens and three by Ryan Walley. He was one of four players with three hits during the doubleheader.

Sean Payne had six hits during the two games for CV.

Playing the first of three successive games against Kimmel Athletic, Spokane Olympic Sports of University lost for the first time, 9-2.

Valley Girls Softball tonight

First games of the Spokane Valley Girls Softball Association season are tonight.

The association encompasses leagues for girls age 16 and younger.

Track club begins season

Spokane Valley Track Club will begin its second year Tuesday, June 20, with an informational meeting and registration.

The practice, at University High, will be at 5:30 p.m. All interested track athletes are encouraged to participate.

Sessions will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the summer.

Like last year, several area track coaches will occasionally attend practices to provide training tips and instruction.

For information, contact Mark Thompson at 891-8866.

Special Olympians medal

Five Special Olympic gymnasts from Lilac City Gymnastics, brought home a total of 25 medals during the Washington State Games in Federal Way on June 3.

Liz DeLauder won gold medals in floor exercise, tumbling and balance beam.

Mary McCabe won golds for vaulting and the all-around. She also won silver medals for balance beam and uneven bars and a bronze medal in floor exercise.

Tiffany Gottlieb won gold medals in the floor exercise and all-around and silver medals on uneven bars and balance beam.

During men’s competition, Kyle Malthaner earned a gold medal in floor exercise, silver on horizontal bar and bronze for still rings, parallel bars and all-around.

Jeremy Bentz-Ashbaugh won gold in floor exercise, silver on pommel horse, vaulting and all-around and bronze for horizontal bar and still rings.

Lilac City Gymnastics Team trains year-round and is accepting new students. For information contact Lilac City Gymnastics, 927-3366.

YMCA offers gymnastics

YMCA of Spokane will conduct a series of gymnastics camps for ages 6-14 at the Downtown Spokane YMCA location.

The camps will be June 26-30, July 10-14 and July 17-21 at a cost of $115 ($100 for Y members).

For registration information call 838-3577.