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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Grip on Sports: There are always surprises and choices to be made on the weekend

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger watches his three-run home run in front of Oakland Athletics catcher Jonathan Lucroy during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 13, 2018, in Seattle. (Ted S. Warren / AP)

A GRIP ON SPORTS • It is Saturday morning. The sun is shining (at times). You have things to do, places to go, people to avoid. Let’s get right to it. Read on.

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• If we want to help you enjoy your first weekend day at the fullest, we better get to what we have quickly. And let you get on your way.

• The Mariners are on a bit of a roll. Two weeks into the season, they finally played an American League West foe last night and won 7-4, thanks in large part to late home runs from Mitch Haniger and Daniel Vogelbach.

It’s those type of contributions, from unexpected sources, that can make or break a season.

Haniger’s ability to hit is unquestioned. When he’s been healthy the past year and change, he’s shown the ball jumps off his bat. But what’s surprising is his contributions lately have come in the four hole. With Nelson Cruz nursing an ankle injury – the second-weirdest ankle injury the M’s have suffered this season – Haniger has answered Scott Servias call to hit fourth, sandwiched between left-handed bats Robinson Cano and Kyle Seager. It’s worked. Worked well, actually.

As for Vogelbach, the pudgy one wasn’t expected to even make the team. His hitting in spring training was so powerful he couldn’t be ignored, leading to a roster spot. And when Cruz stumbled, literally, Vogelbach jumped into the designated hitter spot. And now, with Ryon Healy also out with an ankle problem, Vogelbach is also anchoring first base. Literally. Really, if he doesn’t become a bit better over there, MLB will stand for My League Before in short order when the injured duo become healthy.

It may anyway. But for now he’s helping the Mariners stay relevant.

• Spring football is winding down around the Pac-12, but for Washington State there is still a third left. The Cougars have some questions that will roll over into fall practice – who plays quarterback the most crucial one – but there are some things being figured out.

• The Eastern Washington Eagles have to decide who their next athletic director is going to be. 

The process has winnowed down the applicants to two finalists, current interim director Lynn Hickey and Utah Valley athletic director Vince Otoupal, who has the best first name of any candidate ever.

But if I had to wager who will get the job, I would put my money on Hickey. She was brought in to bridge the gap between former athletic director Bill Chaves and the next person to occupy his chair. Why not just stay in it?

• Central Valley boys’ basketball coach Rick Sloan decided this week to step away from his basketball coaching duties for good. It’s being called a retirement, but as the 55-year-old will still be teaching, his paying job, that’s sort of a misnomer. 

Sloan is one of the GSL’s old guard, a throwback who demands maximum effort on the defensive end as a prerequisite for success. Which makes him one of my personal favorites.

He will be missed.

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WSU: With 10 days down and five to go, Theo Lawson decided it was a good day to examine how the Cougars have done sorting out the roster during the spring. … The baseball team was mauled by California 13-6 last night in Pullman. … The possible honor headed Steve Gleason’s way is a big deal. … Elsewhere in the Pac-12, the spring practices are winding down. Arizona State finished last night with a scrimmage, while Arizona holds its last one today. … Washington’s kicker competition is ongoing but the big question Husky fans want answered is about the uniforms. … There is a kicker story from California as well. … Oregon State scrimmages in the Portland area today. … There are also spring stories from Oregon, UCLA and Utah. Two from Utah actually. … Colorado is losing the name on its arena while Utah is losing a basketball player to a transfer. 

Gonzaga: The Zags’ baseball team has struggled in one-run games this season, and lost another in Stockton against Pacific. 

EWU: As we mentioned above, the athletic director search is down to two. Jim Allen looks at both finalists. … So does Larry Weir in his Press Box pod. … The football team held its first spring scrimmage and the defense won the day. Next time, it will be the offense’s turn. 

Idaho: The Vandals also held a scrimmage yesterday. Peter Harriman was there and he has this coverage.

Chiefs: Spokane coach Dan Lambert will be working this offseason. … Everett closed out its WHL playoff series with Portland last night, winning 4-0 to move into the Western Conference finals against Tri-City.

Preps: The rains came Friday, which put a damper on the competition. To tide you over, we have Mike Vlahovich’s story on Sloan’s retirement and a baseball notebook from Dave Nichols as well as Dave’s story on a smaller school player in big-time basketball all-star games. … There are also roundups from soccer, baseball and softball.

Mariners: Vogelbach’s home run was his first in the big leagues. Haniger has hit more than that. … Longtime friend, and former S-R colleague, Leslie Kelly writes about one of her favorite foods at Safeco, the Ichiroll, now that Ichiro is back in town. 

Seahawks: When the Cowboys flap their wings, the wind starts unintended consequences in Seattle. Or something like that. … The Hawks have signed another kicker. … The draft may include a quarterback. They need a good backup.

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• We have an onerous task to finish today. One we all have to do every year. And is mentioned in the same breath as death. But before then, I have to write about the M’s. I’m going to look at what’s been missing for the franchise since its inception. Don’t miss it in tomorrow’s S-R. Until later …