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

Valley Instant Printing defeats Banner Fuel in Midget League

The Midget League in Spokane Valley Boys Baseball tightened up considerably last week at season’s mid-point.

Two previously unbeaten teams lost, resulting in a temporary three-way first-place tie among Valley Instant Printing (Trentwood), Banner Furnace and Fuel (Pasadena) and Randall & Hurley Inc. (Ponderosa).

In the matchup of two perfect teams, Valley Instant Printing defeated Banner Fuel 7-4, breaking a 2-2 tie with three fourth-inning runs, then adding insurance in the fifth.

Pitchers Dustin Dach and Matthew Stewart divided 14 strikeouts and both hit home runs. And catcher Chase Carbonneau had throw-outs at second and third bases.

But, despite Stewart’s sixth home run of the season, the team’s undisputed lead was brief. VIP was upset two days later 13-8 by Conley’s Place (University).

Conley’s scored five first-inning runs after falling behind 3-0 and put the game away with a seven-run fourth to even its record. Henry Holm was 3-for-3 with a home run to drive in three runs.

During a 14-0 Tuesday win, pitchers Eric Roe and Zach Allen combined for 16 strikeouts. Allen and Derek Marcus each homered and accounted for six RBIs.

It enabled Randall & Hurley to join the pair in first place. Carson Schlect and Brandon Anderson each had seven strikeouts and Anderson hit a two-run homer during Ponderosa’s 21-2 victory over Blasingame Insurance. Trevor Mitchem added two doubles.

Banner Fuel bounced back with a 7-3 win over Renovations by Dave Coville. Pitchers Brandon Davis and Carson Driskill totaled 14 strikeouts. They were a combined 4-for-4 with two doubles and a triple, scoring three times and driving in two.

Grocery Outlet’s Joey Waterbly was 4-for-6 in two games with a triple.

In the Giants League, Valley Electric (Mountain View) improved to 5-0 with 6-3 and 14-10 wins. In the opener, an extra inning win over Hurliman Heating, Jake Reynolds drove in two runs and Aaron Christensen another to break a 3-3 tie in the eighth.

Blake Bowman and Eric Wageman were both 3-for-4 in the Thursday triumph.

In other games, Autocraft (Greenacres) split, beating Grocery Outlet 13-10 as winning pitcher Kyle Rindlisbacher hit two doubles and drove in five runs to aid his cause. He was 3-for-4 with a double in a 9-8 loss to Jim Frazier Pro Shop (Centennial).

A-L Compressed Gases (McDonald) and Commercial Lending NW (Greenacres) reached the half-way point of the PeeWee League American Division with identical 6-0 records. They don’t meet until the final game of the season.

A-L won three times last week, 8-0, 13-1 and 15-1, four pitchers allowing just five hits. One of them, Angelo Gonzalez, hit two home runs in the third win. Another, Trent Ferster, hit three doubles in two games in which Trace Hussey and Kyle Bush combined for 28 strikeouts.

Commercial Lending won 15-5 and 15-6 games, Ryan Anderson going 3-for-3 with three RBIs in one game. Jack Love hit a grand slam homer and Hunter Harbison drove in four runs with two hits in the other.

Spokane County Deputy Sheriff’s Assoc. is the last unbeaten in the National Division at 6-0 after Mark Spear Homeselling dropped its first game.

In a victory, however, Mark Spear’s Dylan Swannack pitched three no-hit innings, striking out every batter. Corey Weyant went 2-for-3 with a triple.

Liberty Cup time

With one Cup, the President’s, out of the way, it was time for Liberty Lake Women’s 18 Hole Golf Club members to work on their season-long Liberty Cup competition.

This month’s winner with a low net of 68 was Coleen Wisenor.

During concurrent putting competition Sandy Mooney won first flight with 34.

Connie Hatfield topped Honey Conlon 29 to 31 in second flight.

Nancy Monteith and Marie Nelson tied with 32 in third flight and Lily Shiosaki edged Sue Meyer 32 to 33 in fourth flight.

Hauser leads Trailhead

It was Deanna Hauser‘s turn during weekly Trailhead Ladies Golf Club medal play.

Hauser shot 48 to win A flight and record Wednesday’s low gross score.

No-handicap golfer Cheri Millsap shot 50. Patty Haskins had 53 to win B flight and Caroline Michielli won C flight with 62. Michielli also had a chip-in.

Net winners were Marcia Rowley with 32 in A flight, Wilma Capaul with 28 in B and Grace Libby with 33 in C.

Iness Walth and Elaine Lukes also had chip-ins during the day’s competition.

MeadowWood creative

The MeadowWood Women’s 18-Hole Golf Club continued its weekly trend of creative games.

This time foursomes played odd-even best ball and the team of Marilyn McCanna, Sandy McLaughlin, Sue Meyers and Maggie Steffy combined for a net 62 victory.

Finishing second a stroke behind were Erika Plosa, Marie Nelson, Jan Doege and Barb Midkiff.

Third-place team was Patsy Lynn, Alice Shattuck, Betty Harmon and Toni Grodt.

Liberty Lake Nines

Net winners had like scores during Thursday medal play for Liberty Lake Ladies Nine-Hole Golf Club.

Audrey Vanos in first flight, Nel Oehrling in second, Lu Benjamin and Sandy Maxwell, who tied in third flight, all won with 36s.

Karen Strauss had low gross score for the day, winning first flight with 50. Second flight went to Cheryl Baumker with 56.

Third flight was won by Ethel Rankin with 63 and Mary Ann Grannell shot 57 to lead no-handicap players.

Mary Ann Wilharm chipped in on the first hole.

Birdies and chip-ins

Virginia Lemmer wasn’t among the weekly winners of Painted Hills Ladies League golfers. But not only did she chip-in for a birdie on the fourth hole, but she had a chip-in on the next hole as well.

Early holes proved kind to golfers. Nancy Moore‘s first birdie of the year came on No. 2, while Debbie Paullin, on No. 3, and Lynne Markeson, on No. 4, had chip-ins.

Jeanne Allemand completed her appointed round atop the leaderboard with a fine low-gross 42 in A flight. Arlene Koth netted 25.

B flight leaders were Jean Jones with low gross 51 and Tracy Lawson with net 34.

C flight was won by Sandee Bickelhaupt with 53, while Kathy Walker and Gloria Knauss tied for net at 32.

D flight winners were Teresa Whittall with low gross 56 and Dorothy Rausch with net 32. Samantha Griffiths shot 51 to lead no-handicap golfers.