Preps: Keeton, Moon lead U-Hi

University lent added meaning to the baseball term “battery,” synonymous for a team’s pitcher and catcher.

Titans catcher Craig Keeton and pitcher Billy Moon could have been cited for the offensive damage they inflicted during a 14-2 six-inning romp over Mt. Spokane.

Between them they were 7 for 8 with four doubles and nine runs batted in during the Thursday Greater Spokane League game at Avista Stadium.

“They are both just stroking the ball right now,” U-Hi coach Scott Sutherland said. “Billy has had an unbelievable week.”

Moon was 4 for 4 with three doubles and three RBIs, giving him seven hits, three doubles, two triples and seven RBIs in two games. He also hurled a two-hitter, striking out 11.

But Keeton did particular damage to the Wildcats with six RBIs, including a three-run double in U-Hi’s six-run final at-bat that improved the league leaders to 12-1.

Mt. Spokane (9-6) entered the game having won eight of 10 games. The Wildcats trailed just 2-1 after two innings.

But the Moon-Keeton duo – each with an RBI hit in the first inning – struck again during a four-run third. Moon doubled home a run and Keeton singled in two more.

Moon’s third successive double plated another run in the fourth and Keeton put the capper on things with his bases-clearing blow in the sixth.

“I’m just glad I could get the job done when it needed to be done,” Keeton said.

The teams go at it again today, at U-Hi.

“They are a good club,” Sutherland said. “They’ll be tough tomorrow.”

•Also in the GSL: Cody Lunt made his pitching debut by scattering four hits and striking out nine at North Central as Mead (11-2) topped the Indians (1-12) 5-2. Seth Peterson and Tyler Benson both had two hits. NC’s Taylor Hustad pitched the distance and tripled. … Ferris (9-6) toppled host Rogers (0-13) 14-2, sparked by a seven-run third inning. Ryan Krustangel and Brett Ward were both 2 for 4 in a game that featured seven doubles. … East Valley (5-8) moved up with a 7-1 win at home against Shadle Park (5-10). Aaron Awbery pitched a five-hitter and walked none. He was backed by Joey Rocco and Jake Pugsley, who were a combined 5 for 8 with six RBIs. Pugsley’s two-out, two-run triple in the third started EV on its way. … Lewis and Clark moved into a tie with Gonzaga Prep (both 6-7) winning 7-4 at Hart Field. Stefan Alberger was 3 for 4 and drove in two runs. Jimmy Reed pitched an eight-strikeout four-hitter.

•Great Northern League: Host Clarkston (11-2, 7-2) limited Colville (9-5, 5-5) to two runs and swept a doubleheader, 2-1 and 6-1 to remain third. Ben Pinkham scattered six hits in the opener, Kevin Schmidt pitched a two-hitter in the second game. Taylor Marshall had five hits. Clay Waller homered in the opener.

•Inland Empire League: Moscow (10-6, 4-4) nearly blew a big lead at home, escaping Sandpoint (7-12, 2-6) 13-12. Both had a nine-run inning, Moscow in the first while building a 13-3 lead. Sandpoint scored nine in the fifth before Jake Heibling shut them down. Heibling had two hits. Jake Semones had three hits, one a triple, for Sandpoint.

Softball

Greater Spokane League: A five-run seventh inning rallied Shadle Park (9-4) to a 9-8 victory at Mead (10-3) and a sweep of their season series. Two errors combined with three hits propelled the Highlanders. Once trailing 7-4, Allie Burger, who had three hits, walked with the bases loaded for the go-ahead run and Danielle Lynn drove in the winner. Mead’s Lauren Stewart, who had three hits and two RBIs, tripled in the bottom of the inning but was left stranded. … League-leading University (12-1) won 15-3 at East Valley (6-7). Ali Warren broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth with a two-run homer and finished with five RBIs. The Titans scored seven runs in the sixth. Pitcher Mollie Buelow fanned 12. … Lewis and Clark (4-9) beat host Rogers (1-11) 7-1 on Rachel Head’s second-inning three-run homer. … Gonzaga Prep (4-9) topped Ferris (3-10) at home 11-1 on Julia Rambo’s one-hitter. The Bullpups scored seven runs in the first inning, led by Mackenzie Via’s two-run double. Lauren Ramsey was 3 for 3, scored twice and had two RBIs. … Mt. Spokane (7-5) beat visiting North Central (4-9) 11-1. Winning pitcher Delaney Zalud hurled a four-hitter and was 3 for 4. Hailee Duncan was 2 for 3 with three RBIs and Caylene Peterson homered.

•GNL : Colville (13-1, 8-0) swept host Clarkston (6-7, 4-4) 13-3 and 13-0. Amanda Hamilton had four hits, including two triples, on the day. She drove in three runs in the second game. Colville’s Lane Thayer and Clarkston’s Anna Draper each hit two-run second-inning homers.

•IEL: The Sandpoint at Moscow doubleheader was postponed because of poor weather. No makeup date has been set.