Division champs U-Hi, Freeman prep for tourney play

Three Valley baseball teams will begin American Legion AA tournament play this week, two of them as division champions.

Defending champion University’s record is not quite as good as last year. But it’s hard to improve upon perfection.

After going unbeaten a year ago in the South Division and playoffs in league, U-Hi completed its North Division season on Wednesday with a chance to finish 19-1.

In the South, Freeman (17-2 before Wednesday’s game against Shadle Park) clinched the division title over Central Valley (15-4). Freeman’s team also includes players from Reardan and Lewis and Clark.

The division plays run through Monday with top two finishers in each advancing to the district championships between the top two division finishers starting Tuesday to determine state participants. U-Hi and CV will be host sites for the 16-team State AA tourney beginning Aug. 2 and as such both teams automatically qualify as part of Spokane’s four-team state contingent.

Overall, University was 27-2 entering its final league game and has put up some exceptional individual numbers.

Brandon Shryock is hitting .512 and is among the team leaders in doubles (11), runs (35) and RBIs (33). He’s one of three players batting .400 or higher. Craig Keeton, at .404, has a team-leading three homers and 39 runs scored, and Sean Severson is at .400.

Travis Clark leads the team with 12 doubles and is second in runs scored (38) and is hitting .381. As a team, U-Hi is batting .363.

Regular season ending

Final regular season games for Spokane Valley Girls Softball Association were scheduled for tonight with league tournaments to run July 24 through 29.

While the 16U and 12U Leagues remained substantially the same through last week’s games, both the 14U and 10U Leagues underwent some change.

In the 14U League, both Arby’s (7-1 with two games remaining) and Old Country Buffet (6-2) moved up behind unbeaten Spokane Transfer (7-0).

McCoy’s Pitching Staff (6-2) and Farrell’s Spray (5-2-1) edged closer to leader U.S. Zinc (7-1) in the 10U League.

BNSF (6-0) remained unbeaten and Home Run Construction was a game behind with two games to play in the 16U League. Home Run beat Einstein’s Car Wash 13-2, Charnelle Abrahamson with a home run and double to drive in three runs. Allie Riggin hit two doubles and a triple and Baily Riggin hit a home run and three doubles, driving in five runs.

“Spokane Transfer remained unbeaten in 14U with a 24-10 win over Evergreen Heating. Shelby Harbison hit a home run and pitched two innings, allowing no runs and striking out four.

Arby’s moved into second place in the 14U League with a 15-9 win over BNSF for its second win of the week. Julia Moravec homered during the win. In an earlier victory, Jocelyn Barron-Robles homered, Ashley Pickert tripled and Cassy Noe doubled.

Old Country Buffet won twice and moved from fifth into a tie for third, Hunter Allen pitching three innings of no-hit ball in a 25-6 win over Farmer’s Market.

Other highlights: Cheyenne Abele hit a double and triple and Kaylyn Jensen added two hits as Evergreen Heating nipped Jewell Excavating 15-14. Abele had two more hits and turned two double plays in the loss to Spokane Transfer.

Dominique Ali and Kelsey Bergland were both 2-for-4 for Dairy Queen despite a 16-14 loss to BNSF. Miranda Morden of the winners tripled.

“McCoy’s Pitching Staff and Towey Ecological continue to run away with the 12 U League. Both improved to 9-0 with a game remaining and have a four-game lead over four other teams.

Destiny McCoy homered in each of two wins, 17-8 and 18-0, for McCoy’s, including a grand slam in the second triumph.

During a 25-2 win last week Towey Ecological pitcher Bailey Towey struck out nine and also hit two singles. Bailey Castor had four hits, two of them doubles. Gabi Whitt and Kayla Cook three hits each and Whitt also doubled twice.

Other highlights: Bailey Osborne, Maggie Madsen and Hannah Wesselman combined for 16 stolen bases in a win by Old Country Buffet.

Marz Mountain turned a third-inning triple play during a 24-21 win over Baker Construction.

Ashlee O’Neill of Sir Speedy hit three home runs, including one with the bases loaded in victory over Dana Graphics.

Despite a 29-21 loss to Rowand Machinery, BNSF’s Amanda Guarisco had four putouts in right field, Brooke Wayman and Ciera Thompson added two doubles.

And Jennifer Bays hit a two-run triple in an Old Country Buffet triumph.

“Four teams entered the final week of 10U play in the thick of things near the top of the league. U.S. Zinc got home runs from Caitlyn Miller and Alexis Tiffany to remain atop the league. Contender Conley’s got home runs from Kayla Cooke and Skylar Bastin during a win.

Also, BNSF got a three-run double by Cassandra Schliep in its loss to Farrell’s Spray and in a win over Cuda Buffalo, Kristen Birdsell struck out eight in three innings and Anna Szott drove in three runs.