Mead outslugs Shadle Park

Mead right fielder and slugger Seth Peterson embodies this year’s Panthers baseball team.

Peterson crushed his third home run in as many games, helping a high-octane offense that has scored 49 runs to a 3-0 Greater Spokane League start.

On Friday, Mead outlasted host Shadle Park (2-2) 12-9 in a chilly, breezy afternoon game.

“Offense, that’s our key,” Peterson said. “We’ll give up some runs, but we’ll put up a lot more.”

Peterson’s three-run blow cleared the right-field fence and bounced across the street during a third-inning that put the visitors ahead 4-0. He was part of an eight-run fifth inning that included two doubles and two triples by Panthers hitters.

Peterson’s double, with one out and a runner at first, appeared to be foul along first base. It was followed by a two-run double by Grant Fink and two-run triple by Tyler Benson that put Shadle in a 12-1 hole.

But it wasn’t just offense that saved Mead. In the second inning, Peterson ended a potential threat with a fly-ball catch and perfect throw to third base for an inning-ending double play.

“Usually no one runs on me,” Peterson said. “I got a good run through the ball and just hucked it. I got a lucky bounce on the dirt.”

The Highlanders, down 11 runs in the fifth, responded to make a game of it in the bottom of the frame. They scored five times, spearheaded by Tyler Pfeffer’s three-run double, one of two among his three hits. Pfeffer also closed the door on Mead’s offense in late relief.

Shadle added three runs in the bottom of the seventh, which included Luke Jordan’s two-run double, to keep the game interesting. The hosts outhit Mead 13-10. Between the teams there were nine extra-base hits.

“I’m very proud of how, other than a couple of big innings, we hung in there and competed,” said Shadle coach Ron Brooks. “Pfeffer is a strong-willed performer and good hitter and he gave us some good innings.”

The Panthers’ 16-plus runs per game average has surprised coach Jason Reich.

“We knew coming in we could swing, it was a matter of if our pitching was going to catch up enough,” Reich said. “I knew we could score runs, but not like this.”

In other GSL games: Central Valley and University (both 5-0) kept pace atop the league. CV’s Bears came from behind with three runs in the second and edged visiting East Valley (2-1) 4-2. Scott Simon struck out 13 in the win and doubled twice, driving in a run in the second. EV starter Aaron Awbery doubled twice and drove in a run as well. … Billy Moon’s bases-loaded triple in the U-Hi Titans’ five-run second inning proved the difference in a 6-4 victory over visiting Lewis and Clark (1-4). John Rapose led off the frame with a homer and Nick Motsinger was 3 for 3. … Mt. Spokane scored 14 runs in two innings, tallying eight in the seventh inning of a 15-8 win at Rogers. The Wildcats (2-3) scored six in the second. Cory Plaggerman and Brandon Baughman, who was 3 for 4, each drove in three runs. Mark Douglas homered and Jake Campbell hit a double and triple for the Pirates (0-5). …Spencer Ansett pitched a complete-game two-hitter in Ferris’ (2-3) 10-0 win over visiting North Central (1-3). Freshman Ben Goodwin drove in four runs with a double and three-run homer.

Inland Empire League: Lewiston swept a doubleheader from visiting Post Falls, 8-1 and 15-0.

Softball

Greater Spokane League: Emma Barrington’s single to right field drove in Mikayla Adams with the winning run as host Mead defeated University 5-4. It completed back-to-back wins over previously unbeaten teams, moving the Panthers (4-1) into a tie for first place in the GSL. They led 4-2 before the Titans (4-1) tied the score in the top of the seventh. … Central Valley (3-1) rebounded from Thursday’s loss to Mead to blank Mt. Spokane 10-0. Alyssa Erickson pitched a two-hit shutout on the Wildcats’ (2-3) home field. Rachel Ford was 4 for 4, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Becky White was 3 for 4, driving in two runs and scoring two more. … Visiting Shadle Park (3-1) defeated Rogers (0-5) 15-5 with Megan Skillingstad going 4 for 5 with three runs scored and four RBIs. … North Central (2-4) scored 15 runs in the third inning of a 24-5 romp past visiting Lewis and Clark (2-3). Kasara Wise had four hits, including a triple and home run, and six RBIs. Katherine Lively had three hits and five RBIs. … Gonzaga Prep’s (1-3) Jenn Rambo hit a three-run homer following an error in the second inning of its 5-3 win at East Valley (3-3). Kelsey Green and Julia Rambo combined for 13 strikeouts and EV’s Tiffany Lucas fanned 14.

Inland Empire League: Post Falls swept a doubleheader at Lewiston, 5-1 and 6-3. Richelle Ashburn pitched a two-hitter in the opener and had two hits, including a double, in the second game.

Track and field

Eastmont Invitational: North Central’s boys placed first and Central Valley boys and girls were second during the meet at East Wenatchee. The Indians scored 191 points to CV’s 140.5. NC’s Luke Evans was second at 184-5 in the javelin and 6-2 in the high jump among 13 top-two finishes, five in the distances. CV had four individual winners. The Bears girls had 112 points, 35 behind champion Skyline. Emilee Deishl threw 128-6 to win the javelin and Emma Vidmar pole vaulted 10-6 for first.