WSU wins, GU loses in Johnny Quik Classic
Washington State won and Gonzaga lost in first-round games in the Johnny Quik Classic college baseball tournament in Fresno, Calif., on Monday.
Jeff Miller and Zach McAngus each drove in two runs and Jared Prince allowed one unearned run in seven innings as WSU (16-4) defeated Bucknell (3-6) 7-1.
Gonzaga (11-8) saw a four-game win streak come to an end as it was limited to seven singles in dropping a 4-1 decision to Miami (Ohio) (4-6).
Prince, WSU’s freshman right-hander, allowed just five hits and struck out five while not walking anyone in collecting his third win in as many starts. Matt Way worked two perfect innings to wrap it up. WSU pitchers have 20 strike outs and no walks in the last two games.
Gonzaga had an early lead on Jackson Brennan’s bases-loaded walk in the third inning, but the Redhawks scored four runs, one at a time, in the last six innings. GU’s Clayton Mortensen (3-4) was touched for three Miami runs in seven innings while striking out five.
Rodeo
Many of the best cowboys and cowgirls in the country, including two with local ties, head to Pocatello this weekend for the 20th annual Dodge National Circuit Finals Rodeo.
The DNCFR is the championship event of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association circuit system.
The tournament-style event starts Wednesday at Holt Arena. The top eight after two go-rounds in each event advance to Saturday’s semifinals. Then the top four move on to the finals that night.
In each of the 13 circuits, including the Columbia River Circuit that encompasses Washington, Oregon and North Idaho, the season champion and circuit finals winner qualify in each event.
Rowdy Buechner of Sandpoint, who qualified for his first National Finals Rodeo last year, qualified for his first DNCFR after winning the Columbia River year-end and finals average in bareback riding.
Another bareback rider, Mt. Spokane graduate Andy Bolich, qualified as the Montana champion.
Cheney bareback rider Ryan Gray, who also made his first NFR last year, is 10th with $11,015 in six rodeos. Attending Texas Tech University, Gray did not compete enough at CRC rodeos to qualify for the finals.
Women’s basketball
Idaho junior Leilani Mitchell picked up a third all-tournament honor when she was named to the all-tournament team for the Western Athletic Conference tournament Sunday.
Mitchell, who averaged 22.5 points, 6.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 3.5 steals as the Vandals went 1-1 in the tourney, earlier earned all-tournament recognition at the New Mexico Thanksgiving event and the Lady Pirate Invitational.
Tasha Williams from champion Louisiana Tech was named the tournament MVP.
Softball
North Idaho College’s schedule doubleheader today in Coeur d’Alene against Walla Walla was postponed because of a frozen field.
It has been rescheduled for 1 p.m. March 22 at Memorial Field in Coeur d’Alene.