Area teams fail to win Jr. Legion tourney openers

Spokane teams finished 0-4 during the opening day of the State Junior American Legion baseball tournament at Central Valley High and Shadle Park’s Jackson Field.

Ryan Lechelt pitched a complete game and had two runs batted in to guide the Kennewick Bandits to a 4-2 win over East Valley at Jackson Field.

Also at Jackson, Tanner Graden pitched a three-hitter, with nine strikeouts, and Patrick Ackerman went 4 for 4 with two RBIs to lead Everett past Mead, 5-0.

Phil Liniger and Jesse Paulson both doubled and singled twice to help the Kennewick Dusters defeat Spokane Athletic Supply-Central Valley to a 17-4 win at CV.

Burlington defeated Shadle Park at CV. No details were reported.

Spokane teams will attempt to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament today.

Basketball

The United States defeated Canada 86-63 in the semifinal round of the 2004 U-21 Tournament of the Americas in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Gonzaga University sophomore Adam Morrison scored two points and had one rebound. Eastern Washington redshirt freshman Henry Bekkering, a member of the Canadian team, also scored two points and had three rebounds.

The U.S plays Puerto Rico for the gold medal today and has qualified for next year’s world championships.