Valley baseball teams run hot, cold

Spokane Valley high school baseball teams got off to a hot start, then cooled down – and vice versa. But what would you expect? This is the Greater Spokane League.

Prior to Friday’s games, Central Valley, East Valley and University were all 2-2 in a league known for parity and unpredictability.

The Bears began 2-0 by sweeping expected contender Gonzaga Prep, 10-0 and 12-8, then lost twice to another title contender, North Central, 2-0 and 11-2.

The Titans opened with a pair of wins over East Valley, 10-0 and 8-4, then lost to Shadle Park twice, each by a run, 5-4 in eight innings and 6-5.

The Knights rebounded from its two losses to sweep Rogers 9-4 and 3-2.

Central Valley’s Rusty Shellhorn no-hit the Bullpups in the opening win and was given plenty of run support. In his second start, a tough-luck loss 2-0 to NC, the Bears did not score.

Alex Banderas totaled six hits, two apiece in three games with a home run and three doubles. Trevor Nearing had four hits with two doubles and a triple. Cameron Miner and Kyle Anzalone also hit home runs.

U-Hi had enough offense, with several multi-hit players including Brandon Shryock, who had four hits, three in one game against EV, and two doubles, and Jacob Olsufka who doubled and tripled.

But against Shadle, the Titans gave up a 4-1 lead and were beaten on an eighth-inning run in the first game. They then blew a 5-0 lead entering the bottom of the seventh to lose game two.

East Valley’s Tanner Hamilton had four hits, three of them doubles, in the sweep of Rogers. Skyler Schiller hit safely in all four Knights games, totaling five, and Jeff Bittner had four hits, with two doubles in the U-Hi series. AJ Mills allowed just three hits in the 3-2 win over Rogers.

“West Valley went 2-2 in preseason games as the Eagles gear for the Great Northern League season. They lost to Coeur d’Alene 8-3 and Moses Lake 3-2, but beat Chief Sealth 12-3 and Post Falls 16-7. Cousins Bryan and Tom Peterson each had three hits against Post Falls, Tom with a homer and double. Bryan had two doubles and a triple while hitting safely in all four games. He pitched the win over Chief Sealth.

Freeman started its season with a 3-2 win over Liberty and 11-2 win over Tekoa-Oakesdale/Rosalia.

Titans, Bears hang tough

A rugged season start, that included losses to the two GSL unbeatens, left both University and Central Valley with 3-2 records prior to Friday’s league games.

The Titans were one-hit by Shadle Park, losing 6-0, and lost their opener 4-2 to North Central. The Bears lost 11-1 to the Highlanders and 4-1 to the Indians. Shadle and NC are both 4-0.

The two Valley teams share fourth place in league.

East Valley is 1-3 following a 4-3 eight-inning victory over Lewis and Clark.

U-Hi scored 61 runs and had 55 hits in wins over Lewis and Clark, Ferris and Gonzaga Prep. Alisha Warren had five hits in one game and three in another. Alyssa Hawley had a pair of four-hit games and Alexis Obenchain and freshman Alene Bethel each had four-hit games.

Mickenzie Alden had both hits in CV’s loss to Shadle. During 11-0, 6-1 and 17-9 victories over Ferris, East Valley and Rogers, numerous players had multiple hits. Alexa Morales totaled eight, getting four against Rogers and freshman Becky White totaled seven. Both hit safely in four games.

Hannah Krogseth‘s two-run double sent the game between EV and LC into extra innings and Danica Hanley singled home sophomore Echo Abramson with the winner. Abramson had five hits during the week.

Knights lead soccer

Taking up where they left off the defending champion East Valley Knights started the soccer season 2-0. The Knights beat Lewis and Clark 1-0 on Matt Miller‘s first-half goal, and Shadle Park 4-0, Cole Abramson with two goals and an assist in the second win.

University and Central Valley were both 1-1, the Titans beating the Bears in two overtimes on a goal by Christian Holloway. They lost 2-1 to LC, Aaron Anderberg with his second goal of the week. CV topped Mt. Spokane 3-1, two of the goals by Sam Busby, including his penalty kick.

U-Hi alumni baseball

The annual University Titan Alumni baseball game is scheduled for April 28, with activities beginning at 10 a.m. followed by the game and a barbecue.

Contribution fee of $20 includes a T-shirt and goes to support the program.

To attend, contact Bill Towey, 939-5203 by April 1.

Golf seasons upcoming

Adult golf club seasons are about to gear up.

The 600-member Liberty Lake/MeadowWood Men’s Club is preparing opening day tournament April 14 at 8 a.m.

“It’s usually our largest tournament, said handicap chairman Jim Scott, “with over 100 participants on opening day.”

Participants must be a member to play and have an established handicap, he said.

For information, contact Scott at 922-2622 or treasurer Cecil Main at 226-1252.

The men’s club will have a variety of two or more organized tournaments per month with closing day on Sept. 29 and the banquet on Oct. 20.

Current president is Jon Solberg, president-elect is Frank Stadler, secretary is Ron Schoenberger, tournament chairman is Tom Rau and directors are Jim Lane, Don Davisson, Cris Kennedy and past-president Brian Baker.

“Liberty Lake Women’s 18 Hole Golf Club will have its kick-off breakfast on Tuesday at 8 a.m. at the course. Golf will follow weather permitting.