Columbia Basin Sweeps Sasquatch

Willie Kahn had seven runs batted in the second game, including a two-run homer during a 13-run fifth inning, and Columbia Basin swept Community Colleges of Spokane 7-6, 25-8 in baseball on Tuesday at Pasco.

The sweep stalled CCS’ drive to the Eastern Division title. Columbia Basin (26-13 overall, 17-10 Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges) closed within one game of the Sasquatch (20-17, 18-9) with three games left.

CCS plays three games this weekend in Pendleton, Ore., against fifth-place Blue Mountain (14-23, 11-16).

Tyrel Davis homered and tripled to help the Hawks take a 7-2 lead after five innings of the first game.

CCS led the second game 6-1 after Kevin Richardson’s grand slam home run in the first, but Jake Burns and Julio Blanco had three-run homers to help the Hawks rally.

Prep basketball

Former Mead athletic star Shelli Totton is West Valley’s new girls basketball coach.

Totton will remain the Eagles girls soccer coach, which she has been the past two years.

“It will be a little difficult at first,” said Totton, “but I’ve always wanted to be a head basketball coach.”

The 1987 high school graduate was a three-time All-GSL soccer player and three-year varsity basketball player, making All-GSL as a senior for the Panthers.

She played two years at Spokane Falls Community College and a year at Carroll College in Montana.

While working in a Spokane sporting apparel store, she began assisting in various high school sports programs.

She earned teaching credentials and was hired at WV, where she has coached freshman basketball for four years. She applied for the basketball position after Mark Kuipers resigned to help coach at University High.

“She’s an outstanding young lady and we’re really excited about having her at the helm,” said WV athletic director Wayne McKnight.

Totton said she will pattern her coaching style after her mentor, current Mt. Spokane coach Jeanne Helfer.

“She demands a lot and brings a lot of competition,” said Totton, “but she’s able to do it in a way that’s encouraging and gets the most out of kids.”

She said she’ll also adopt things she learned as a player for the Spokane Stars and while helping at Mead, Lewis and Clark, Northwest Christian and WV.

College golf

Idaho has been given a berth in the 27-team NCAA men’s West Regional May 18-20 at Riverbend Golf Course in Madera, Calif.

There are three regional competitions around the nation with 30 teams and 156 players advancing to the national tournament at the Grand National Golf Club Complex at Auburn/Opelika, Ala. The top eight teams from each region are guaranteed a berth at the national tournament.