A GRIP ON SPORTS • Did I miss anything while I was away, other than a Mariner whitewashing and some fan panic, I mean? No? OK, let's get right back at it. Read on.

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• They say the Masters doesn't really get started until the back nine on Sunday. If that's true, then all of Jordan Spieth's work the past couple days has been nothing but prelude to this afternoon's action. So we'll not worry about it. One thing we do know, Spieth's play, the Saturday charge of the rest of the posse, led by Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Justin Rose and Rory McIlroy, and the pressure of the first major of the year, should make this afternoon fun. So, in the spirit of giving you as much time as possible to prepare, I'll get right to the links and other items having to so with a full Saturday around the Northwest.

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• WSU: The Cougars held their first scrimmage of the spring and Jacob Thorpe was there. Heck, for all I know, he may have done the punting. But I'm sure he put together a complete coverage package, including a story focused on the quarterback play and summary blog post, the stats and videos from Mike Leach, Luke Falk and Jeremiah Allison. ... The Cougars received their first 2016 commitment and its from a quarterback. ... Jacob also was at the final game of a three-game baseball series with UW and has this game story. ... This is from Saturday, but Jacob had the news of the Cougars hiring a new soccer coach.

• EWU: The Eagles held a scrimmage yesterday as well and Jim Allen has the particulars in this piece. The defense dominated. ... Saturday Jim also had a look at the offensive line.

• Idaho: The Vandals also scrimmaged and the defense took charge as well. Sean Kramer has a story and a blog post on the day's events.

• Whitworth: The Pirates' baseball team swept Pacific in a much-needed doubleheader win.

• Chiefs: Spokane's season is over – Chris Derrick has a story in today's paper looking back at the year – but the WHL playoffs are not. Portland evened its series with Everett with a two-overtime victory.

• Seahawks: There is a scene in the movie "Leon: The Professional" in which Gary Oldman, playing a corrupt DEA agent, yells into the radio to "bring me everyone." If you've seen the movie, you'll get the reference. And if you've seen the Hawks' offensive line the past few years, you'll get why Dave Boling feels pretty much the same way about the draft. ... Russell Wilson still dreams of playing baseball. ... Bob Condotta updated the Hawks' free agents this weekend.

• Mariners: Yes it's still early – only a week in, really – but the Mariners really needed yesterday's 5-4, 11-inning win over the A's. And they needed the performances they received, especially from J.A. Happ, Brad Miller and Nelson Cruz. ... Tyler Olson picked up his first major league win in the game.

• Sounders: The Sounders are at Los Angeles this afternoon to face their nemesis, the LA Galaxy. Though LA isn't playing well, Seattle is still worried – and motivated. After all, this is the team that knocked them from the playoffs last season. ... It doesn't take a lot to make you appreciate how precious life is. ... San Jose got past Vancouver last night.

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• That's almost it. I have to pass along this farewell column from the Times' Bud Withers, who retired Friday. In my five-year stint in Pullman, I got to know Bud quite a bit better and understand how hard he worked to earn his paycheck and his pension. Welcome to the bright side Bud. Also, I want to say thanks for getting through Saturday without a post. I appreciate it. Until later ...

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