High school baseball notebook: Jack Machtolf making name for himself
Gonzaga Prep has fought its way to the top of the Greater Spokane League with the help of a senior who has had to follow in the footsteps of two older brothers.
While it seems like 14 years that the Bullpups have had a Machtolf on its roster, the youngest brother, Jack, is making his final run through the league.
“David was probably the smallest of the three … but he was probably the best pitcher,” coach Brian Munhall said. “Steven was pretty darn physical. He was one of our best pitchers and he understood how to compete.
“Jack is probably the toughest because the other two beat the crap out of him,” Munhall joked.
With stats compiled before this week’s game, Jack Machtolf trailed only teammate Ryan Gross (.500) and Mead’s Justin Dolezal (.500) with a .478 batting average. He’d also smacked three doubles, one home run, a triple and scored 10 runs and knocked in eight runs.
The youngest Machtolf, who plans to re-join Steven and play for father, Mark Machtolf, at Gonzaga University, is in his third year starting for G-Prep.
“We always knew he was going to be an exceptional baseball player,” Munhall said. “Last year he was all right, the year before that he was pretty good, but now he’s really hit his stride.”
Machtolf won a state championship in football and Munhall said he believes the player is now solely focused on the diamond. He hopes to join a GU roster filled with Bullpups, including Justin Blatner, Wyatt Mills and Jordan Rathbone.
“I like looking at all those guys and seeing where they are going,” Jack Machtolf said. “It lets me know how hard I need to work to get there.”
For now, the outfielder and first baseman hopes to savor the final run through the GSL and potentially a run in the state playoffs.
“Two years ago, when I was a sophomore, we had some really good players. This year it’s a different feel. I haven’t seen a more competitive edge. We have a lot of guys who like winning. It’s special.”
On Tuesday, Central Valley edged North Central 5-4 to enter a tie with G-Prep at the top of the league.
“I was impressed with Mt. Spokane,” Machtolf said. “They really competed very well. I thought (Justin) Dolezal was a good pitcher from Mead. I think everyone has some guys. It’s a pretty evenly set up league this year.”
Bears attack
As of Tuesday, Lewis and Clark’s Cal Web had not given up an earned run in 12 innings pitched. But the one of the best arms in the league belongs to Central Valley’s Connor DeGeest. With win on Tuesday, he pushed his record to 5-0 and was among the league leaders in ERA (1.31) and strikeouts (20).
Along with Connor Grytdal (ERA 2.02) and Jeremy Yelland (23 strikeouts), the Bears (8-1 GSL) have three hefty arms to throw at anyone who gets in their way.
“They’ve done a very nice job for us,” Central Valley Coach Mike Amend said. DeGeest “has stayed down in the strike zone and he’s gotten ahead of hitters.”
Battle for Northeast A
As of Tuesday, Freeman (10-1 overall) had raced to a 6-0 start in the Northeast A League, but a showdown looms with Medical Lake (9-2, 5-1 NEA).
The Scotties and Cardinals square off Saturday in a double header at Freeman. With the Scotties’ sweep of Lakeside (6-7, 5-4 NEA), the double header Saturday will go a long way in deciding the league champion.