A GRIP ON SPORTS • Where were we? Oh, just looking back at one of the more jam-packed Saturday's of the spring. Read on.

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• The final Saturday of April is usually accompanied by a few showers around Spokane. After all, without April showers, where would the May flowers come from? But the sports news yesterday was anything but a drizzle. A downpour would be more like it. Spring football blooming everywhere. Prep sports. College playoffs. A bouquet of buds to share. Problem is, we were out of town and unable to smell Saturday's flowers. But we can pass along the links so you can enjoy a look back this fine Sunday.

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• WSU: The Cougars held their annual spring game at Joe Albi Stadium, showing off a new defensive scheme and finishing up the battle to replace Connor Halliday at quarterback. John Blanchette's column covers the former, while Jacob Thorpe takes on the latter – and just about everything else – in his coverage. Jacob has a spring game story as well as some observations afterward, the stats and a morning post with links. Dan Pelle was also at Albi and he has a photo report. ... Jacob also has a blog post on a post player committing to the Cougs yesterday, though the report, on Cougfan, may have been premature. ... Vernon Adams and his quest to become Oregon's quarterback is the subject of a long piece in the Oregonian this morning.

• EWU: The Eagles held their annual spring game as well, with the quarterback battle (see the piece on Vernon Adams above) also a big part of Jim Allen's game story. ... Dan has a photo report from Cheney as well.

• Whitworth: The Pirates' record-breaking softball season came to an end yesterday, baring an unexpected at-large NCAA berth. Tom Clouse has the story of the NWC playoffs. ... Whitworth won the conference track titles.

• Shock: It took overtime in a sloppy game, but the Shock are in the win column for the first time this season. Jim Meehan has the story of Spokane's 56-55 win over Orlando.

• Chiefs: The WHL's Western Conference finals are tied at one after Portland's 3-2 win last night in Kelowna.

• Preps: Speaking of annual events, the 52nd annual Mooberry Relays were held at Rogers yesterday and Greg Lee was there. He has this story.

• Seahawks: Not all that long now until the draft. The Seahawks' have needs including depth on the defensive line. But Pete Carroll and John Schneider, who have perfected the buddy system, have some ideas on filling the spots. ... The Hawks are trying to avoid the NFL's pull toward mediocrity. ... Could Chris Polk be a fit with Seattle?

• Mariners: While we were away, Felix Hernandez pitched a gem of a game and we may have discovered the root of Hisashi Iwakuma's problems. He has a shoulder strain and will be out a few weeks. Roenis Elias has been recalled from Tacoma and will start today. ... Yesterday, the M's decided to be in a giving mood and basically handed an 8-5 victory to the Twins. Which is why Seattle is not near the top of the power rankings.

• Sounders: Tonight is the first of this season's rivalry matches with the Portland Timbers, which means some players will be exposed to the enmity for the first time. And others? They have been part of it for years.

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• That's it for this morning. We'll be back in Spokane later tonight and back to our regular schedule tomorrow. Until then ...

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