Shadle Park triumphs to knock Mt. Spokane into first-place tie

Shadle Park doubled its fun Thursday and in the process wore out the left-field line with another batting highlight reel to further tighten the Greater Spokane League baseball standings.

Six of the Highlanders’ 13 base hits during their 7-2 victory over league-leading Mt. Spokane were doubles. And six of their hits were pulled down the line, past third baseman Marcos Armendariz.

The victory moved Shadle (12-4, 10-4) to within a game of the Wildcats (12-3, 11-3) and Ferris (12-4, 11-3).

“We swung it pretty well,” said veteran Highlanders coach Ron Brooks. “We’d been stagnant the last two games, but we had an aggressive approach again. When you take three swings, there’s a chance you can do something with it.”

The big offensive showing backed solid pitching by Brian Kranches, who allowed just four base runners in a route-going effort. He pitched a three-hitter and hit one batter while striking out seven.

“He threw great,” said Shadle’s Ryne Kiter, who was twice hit by a pitch and had three hits with his bat. “Brian was on fire today.”

Kiter added that his three successive singles were a matter of sitting back and waiting out pitcher Keith Tappe’s curveball.

The game was played in a light but persistent rainfall at Shadle’s Jackson Field. The infield held up well, filled as it was with plenty of sawdust bark. The Highlanders provided the bite.

“They came more dialed in than in a long time,” said Brooks of his players. “The thing I’m learning is that Thursday games are huge.”

Mt. Spokane scrapped for a first-inning run on a hit batter, stolen base, wild pitch and sacrifice fly. Armendariz slugged a 365-foot-plus home run in the fourth.

But the Wildcats had only one other base runner in the final 3 2/3 innings.

Highlanders third baseman Branden Hughes, who made a brilliant stop in the top of the second, tied the game in the bottom on the frame with a hit following the first of Ryan Holcomb’s two doubles.

Shadle took the lead with two runs in the third, including back-to-back doubles by Josh Powell – another shot down the line – and Ian Shook – a towering shot to center. Kiter and Kjel Carlson doubled in a two-run fifth and Scribner doubled to lead off a three-hit sixth.

The two teams square off again today at Mt. Spokane.

In other games, Ferris gained back a share of the league lead by scoring seven times in the first inning of a 10-6 win over visiting Rogers (7-9, 5-9). Chris Bozo, Chad Berland and Andy Greenslitt all doubled in the opening frame and Jeremy Templeton went 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Eric Kelly hit a two-run homer in Rogers’ five-run third. …West Valley (10-6, 9-5) scored nine runs in the seventh of a 19-8 win at Mead (5-9). The Eagles pounded out 21 hits, Matt Helmberger 4 for 4, driving in three runs, and Mike Hauschild 3 for 3 with three RBIs. Greg Bradley also had three hits, while four others hit safely twice. Andy Mattingly hit a three-run homer in the seventh and had five RBIs total for Mead. …Torrid University (8-7, 8-6) won its sixth straight game, 13-7 at home over rival Central Valley (10-8, 8-8). The Titans scored 11 runs during the first two innings. Brandon Kelley, Dan Jordan and Travis Lewis all had two hits. Ryan Maynes was 3 for 3 with three RBIs and three runs scored for CV. … Gonzaga Prep (7-8, 7-7) evened its GSL record to move into eighth place – sixth among 4A schools with a 9-0 shutout victory over host Lewis and Clark (5-11, 5-9) at Hart Field. The Bullpups scored four runs in the first for winning pitcher Nick Hamad and Matt Manix had three hits, including a double as they moved into playoff position.