Bandits, Cannons continue tournament play out of town

Tournament play is ongoing for the Bandits and Cannons American Legion baseball teams who are in Coeur d’Alene and Olympia respectively through Sunday.

The Bandits then head to Longview, Wash., next week, but not before playing a few Spokane AAA League games.

They swept their division, winning five straight games and placed second during the annual local Fourth of July tourney, losing 9-1 to Budd Bay of Olympia in the final.

During divisional play, the Bandits outscored five teams in their division 54-6.

They blanked three, Meridian and Bethel Huskies both by 10-0 scores – despite managing just three hits in the latter – and the GK Eagles 12-0.

Connor Brooks had two hits against the Eagles. Adam Smith added two hits, including a triple, against Newport and combined with Travis Lewis on a three-hit shutout against Meridian.

In that game, Dan Jordan had two hits, one of them a double.

The Cannons didn’t fare as well, losing three and tying one of five games to finish last in their division.

The Bandits, with a 12-3 record, continue to lead league by 4 1/2 games. They need two wins in their final five games to clinch the regular-season title.

On Tuesday they play twice against the Patriots and North Stars at Shadle Park’s Al K. Jackson Field.

The second-place Cannons (7-7) play a Wednesday doubleheader against the Pullman Patriots at WSU.

District playoffs begin Aug. 18 for all five league teams for a state berth in Longview. All games will be at Jackson Field.

Kimmel gets taste

Unbeaten in the Legion AA League, Kimmel Athletic (University) got a taste of high-end competition in the Northwest Baseball Wood Bat Tournament.

The tournament brought in upper level all-star teams. Kimmel lost each game including scores of 11-1 to Triple Play, 6-2 to Washington Brewers, 6-2 to Eastside Harley and 8-5 to Seattle Seadogs.

Coach Scott Sutherland said the teams, from Washington, Oregon and Idaho were better than any in the American Legion AAA League.

Kimmel returned to their level and swept West Valley in a doubleheader, including 13-3 in a league counter. That improved its record to 13-0 in league and 18-5 overall.

Billy Moon improved his pitching record to 5-1 and struck out nine. Tyler Olson continued torrid hitting by going 2-for-3 with five runs batted in, much of that on a three-run fourth-inning home run.

Travis Clark and Jacob Olsufka each had three hits.

Next week the U-Hi crew plays six games in as many days, including makeups with second-place Gonzaga Prep (11-3) and Pullman and a doubleheader with Whitman County.

Playoffs for six teams each in the South and North divisions begin July 17 with the top two finishers in each competing in the District V championships.

The top two finishers from there qualify for state in Colfax and Pullman.

Spokane Athletic Supply (Central Valley, 9-4) is third in league and will likely make the divisional playoff. CV blanked Whitman County 16-0 in five innings, Blake Bledsoe with four hits including a triple to back Austin Giglio‘s one-hit pitching.

West Valley and East Valley are among four teams vying for the final two spots.

Leaders keep pace

For the most part, the rich in their respective Spokane Valley Baseball Leagues got richer during a week abbreviated by the Fourth of July holiday.

Unbeaten Valley Electric in the Giants League whipped runner-up VEBA 18-2 and is a win away from clinching the title with four games to play.

Joey Lawrence pitched three shutout innings, striking out six and was one of five batters with three hits or more.

Jesse Perry went 4-for-4. Jon Hicks and Blake Bollman were each 3-for-3 and combined for seven runs driven in.

Banner Furnace and Fuel (8-1) and Valley Instant Printing (7-2) in the Midget League continued as the top two teams.

VIP (Trentwood) broke a second-place tie with its 9-3 win over Randall & Hurley Inc. (Ponderosa). Dustin Dach struck out nine of the 11 batters he faced. Josh Luiten homered, Tommy Matsuda and Trevor Bennett each hit triples and Joseph Peltier had a double.

Banner (Pasadena Park) topped Brad DeCounter DDS 6-1 with Carson Driskill and Hunter Wells combining to strike out 17 of the game’s 18 outs. Corey Spalding doubled to score a run and drive in another. Brady Bergman scored twice.

Conley’s Place (University) moved into a third-place tie by beating Blasingame Insurance (Greenacres) 11-3. Derek Marcus hit a grand slam home run.

Grocery Outlet (Adams) got a home run from Justin Sulya and triples by Eric Gravos and Paul Duddy despite losing to Leo’s Photography (South Pines).

A-L Compressed Gases and Commercial Lending NW, both 9-0, continue to lead the Pee Wee League American Division. They lead the rest of the division by three games and more.

Commercial Lending (Greenacres) beat Sterling Self Storage (Adams) 15-3 with Hayden Wolrehammer going 2-for-4 with three RBIs. He pitched three no-hit innings, striking out eight. Hunter Harbison was 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

Mark Spear Homeselling (Otis Orchards) improved to 7-2 for a share of the National Division lead. Dylan Swannack hit a grand slam home run during a 13-2 win over River City Pizza. Jarred Thomas struck out five in two innings of work.

Rowley leads Trailhead

The day after Fourth of July, Marcia Rowley produced her own fireworks.

Rowley shot low gross 40, including a chip-in, during Trailhead Ladies Golf Club competition.

Joy Russell had 51 to lead B flight, Peg Nadvornick shot 57 in C and Cherie Millsap shot 56 for no-handicap honors.

Low net scores were by Deanna Hauser with 29 in A flight, Patty Haskins with 31 in B, also including a chip-in, and Caroline Michielli with 30 in C.