Solid pitching helps lift Blasingame to top of league

Spokane Valley Baseball League took a turn as the season reached the midpoint for most teams.

Blasingame Insurance and American On-Site Services moved to the head of the Giants League pack.

There were showdown games among the leaders in both American and National Divisions of the Midget League.

And the Pee Wee National Division was juggled following a big game.

Blasingame Insurance (5-1) won three times, scoring at a near 13-run-per-game clip and giving up just seven runs total.

The Centennial team got solid pitching from Cody Role and Riley Benton in two wins over Mountain View 2, Role going 3-for-3 and scoring three times for Benton, Benton going 4-for-4 and scoring each time during Role’s turn on the mound. Barry Yount added two doubles.

American On-Site from Bowdish (4-1) rallied with a nine-run fourth – Scott Ducar with two hits – and six-run fifth innings against Mountain View 1 and scored five runs in the sixth against Valley Electric to move past the teams into second place.

Ethan Bishop had five hits, Deven Thompson and Ducar had four apiece to lead the 29-hit two-win outburst. Thompson and Ducar also were part of the team’s pitching efforts.

Mountain View’s Jesse Perry had three hits in two games, including a double and triple.

Unbeatens Gibson’s Nursery and River City Pizza squared off in the American Division of Midget League play with Gibson’s (6-0) winning 9-1 to take over undisputed first place.

Nick Habib hit two doubles and drove in three runs, and pitchers Tyler Crawford and Matt Harper combined on an 11-strikeout two hitter.

In the National Division, Realty Rangers beat challenger Leo’s Photography twice, 10-8 and 14-0 to remain on top. Next week the Rangers play second-place Valley Instant Printing for the second time in a likely title showdown.

The Trentwood team (5-1) beat Merit Electric twice, Jordan Tuttle with a combined five hits and Nyles Ferger with a total of 10 stolen bases. Matt Stewart was 3-for-3 in the second win and singled and doubled in victory over Wells Fargo Bank.

In other games, Wells Fargo’s Alex Townsend had three hits, all doubles. Outback Steakhouse won for the first time. Steven Ficca went 2-for-3 with a triple and two RBIs. Two days later, Morgan Bird went 3-for-3, including a double and triple.

Tyler Knap was 3-for-3 and drove in three runs for Dr. DeCounter. McDonald’s Ty Burbridge and Dave Malinak were each 2-for-3 with two RBIs. They were their first hits of the season.

PeeWee League team Schmitz Construction (Sunrise 2) won three times last week, including 10-8 over previously unbeaten Blasingame Insurance, to create a three-way tie in the National Division.

Garrett Schmerer allowed one hit and fanned six over the last three innings as his team rallied from an 8-4 deficit. Shayne Riordan drove in four runs with two hits, one a triple. Alec Grebe and Curtis Schmitz each drove in two more.

In the other wins, Jeff Harren drove in six runs with a double and triple and Tony Milla five runs with a double and home run. Harren and Colin Deyarmin each went 3-for-3 and Deyarmin allowed two hits and struck out eight to cap the week.

American Leader Tom’s Barber Shop improved to 7-0 with a pair of wins, including 8-7 over Ginno Construction which was a game behind at the time. Tyler Dixon hit a two-out two-run double to win the game. Blake Braley scored the decisive run.

T.J. Thies hit a three-run homer and Dixon also homered in Tom’s Barber Shop’s no-hit win over A&L Compressed Gases, although Austin Sloan had blanked them for three innings, striking out eight.

MeadowWood ‘blind draw’

Two-person teams were drawn at random for this week’s MeadowWood Women’s 18-Hole Golf Club play.

The duo of Caroline Arnot and Marion Jordan combined for a net 136 to win the competition handily.

Andine Suddeth and Marie Nelson finished second with 152, Margie Tibbits and Sharon Schoen were third at 156.

Big plays at Liberty Lake

On a day when scores could be high, there were some spectacular conversions by Liberty Lake Ladies 9-Hole Club golfers.

The shots produced three birdies and four chip-ins during weekly play.

As usual, Karen Strauss led the way with a low gross 44 in first flight. She birdied the third hole. Arla Beck, who had low net 42, birdied No. 16.

Other birdie was by Audrey Vanos, also on No. 3.

Shirley Schoenberger shot 55 in second flight and Lee King, who chipped in on No. 11, shot 67 to lead third flight.

Deanna Hauser netted 35 in second, and Linda Barry netted 42 in third.

Other chip-ins were by Pat Thompson on No. 18, Nancy Lampe on No. 8 and Kathryn Cooney on No 4.

Rowley leads Trailhead

Winner of this week’s Trailhead Ladies Golf Club medal play was Marcia Rowley.

Rowley led A flight with a low gross 45, while Shirley Rodman had 55 in B, Patty Haskins won with 57 in C, and Eileen Couper shot 69 in no-handicap.

Net winners were Deanna Hauser with 37 in A flight, Bev Johnson with 31 in B and 29 in C. Sandi Hatcher had a chip-in.

Rain limits field

It was a rainy Tuesday that limited Liberty Lake 18-Hole Women’s Club golfers to a turnout of eight players.

Play of the day was best nine holes and half handicap with Billie Etter winning A flight at low gross 31 and net 21.

Alice Shattuck shot 43 with a net 28, and Jody Cantrell had 45 with a net 30 in C flight. Jan Hussey shot 49 and 29 in D.

Hangman completes tourney

Hangman Valley Ladies 18-Hole golfers finished their three-week Hanging Tree Tournament.

Winner was determined by using the best two rounds of the three.

Overall winner was Kitty Duval with a net 135.

First flight went to Kathy Schneider with 143, Kathy Theisen with 146 and Sue Lightfoot with 151.

Second flight leaders were Alice Hamilton with 140, Susan Crosby with 143 and Gloria Cash with 147.