Defense wins day for CWU

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Speculation is no longer necessary for how dominant the defense can be on Central Washington University’s football team.

Convincing evidence was offered up Saturday night in the best possible form — a goose egg.

Forcing four turnovers, including an inter-ception and fumble recovery by Buddy Wood in the first half, the Wildcats weathered a hot evening in the high desert for a 10-0 season-opening victory over Mesa State College — the program’s first shutout in two years.

Jerome Williams, Marcus Ford and Wood all had interceptions and the 14th-ranked Wildcats allowed only 12 first downs at Ralph Stocker Memorial Stadium, which had field temperatures in the mid-90s despite the evening kickoff.

For the first half, Central’s stellar defensive effort was matched by the host Mavericks for a 0-0 draw.

But coming to the offensive rescue was, not surprisingly, All-American wide receiver Johnny Spevak, who on the first possession of the third quarter hauled in a 68-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Robertson.

Not only a crucial score in the game, Spevak’s grab tied Central’s career receiving touchdown record of 43. It was the second-longest of his career behind a 71-yarder last year against Western Oregon.

Robertson, a redshirt freshman, connected on his first eight passes and finished 14-for-30 for 205 yards.

Garrett Rolsma added a 30-yard field goal in the fourth quarter. He had a 49-yard attempt blocked in the second period.

Randall Eldridge paced Central’s ground game with 11 carries for 84 yards, including a 36-yard blast in the final quarter that set up Rolsma’s field goal.

Central’s veteran defensive crew was at its best when it mattered most as three of the turnovers stopped Mesa State’s best drives.

The Mavericks opened the game with two 64-yard drives, accounting for the bulk of their yardage for the day. But Wood’s fumble recovery on the Central 16 stopped the first one and his interception on his own 32 put the skids to the second.

No sweat

Family atmosphere keeps tourney growing ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — Three weeks ago, with sluggish signups, Hotshot organizers were a little nervous that the still-sagging economy would have an impact on this year’s event.

They didn’t need to worry, as this 3-on-3 basketball tournament has established a solid following, and as this weekend drew closer, more entries began to roll in, eventually swelling the field to a record 319 teams, a 26-team increase from last year.

The steady uptick in entries (the field has grown in three of the past four years) has a pretty simple explanation — and it doesn’t matter if you live just a couple of miles from downtown Yakima or if you’ve arrived from one of the more remote spots on the westside.

“It’s a family atmosphere,” said Ben Webb, the eldest of three brothers from Sequim, who chose this event to debut as a 3-on-3 team.

“Win, lose or draw, it doesn’t matter. It’s a family event,” said Craig Caudill, a West Valley resident who is playing in one division while son Aaron competes in another.

Similar stories are playing out all along Yakima Avenue, with families and friends sharing courts in an event that has seen an increase of 51 teams since 2006.

“We’re starting to grow a reputation,” said John Cooper, president and CEO of the Yakima Visitors and Convention Bureau. “It’s family entertainment and we go to great pains to keep it clean and well-managed.”

Those efforts don’t go unnoticed.

“The guy who runs it (Rich Austin) really does a nice job; you can tell he’s into making this a quality event,” said Darrell Joslyn, a six-year veteran of Spokane’s mammoth Hoopfest, who drove five hours from Sequim in an RV with teammates Todd Irwin and Brady Marunde to participate in their first Hotshots.

“It’s nice to see it so well-supported,” Irwin said. “The city should be proud.”

The growing number of out-of-towners show how well the event has gained a foothold throughout the region, according to Austin, but the event’s bread and butter remains the local teams and the personal connections for Valley residents such as the Caudills.

“We love it. It’s an opportunity for the kids to come out and have fun … and I’m still playing, too,” said Craig Caudill, who is competing on a Men’s Open Division team.

Son Aaron has played on a Hotshot team since 2006, with this year’s team, the West Valley Sharks, competing in the Boys Sixth Grade Division.

Both had their struggles Saturday, but that didn’t bother them.

“That’s not what matters,” Craig said. “We’re having a good time. They (Aaron and his teammates) will start talking about next year’s event by (Sunday) afternoon.

“This is good for Yakima.”

That attitude extends to out-of-towners.

“You’ve got the vendors all around the courts, the weather, playing in the streets along all these buildings, it’s a cool atmosphere,” Ben Webb said right after winning their afternoon game, which mom Kerry videotaped with dad A.J. alongside.

Ben, 21, is a student assistant for Central Washington University’s men’s basketball team, Ary, 19, will be a freshman for the Olympic College team this coming season, and Corbin, 16, will be a sophomore at Sequim High School.

Coincidentally, Ary and Corbin played basketball in Yakima previously as their Sequim squad reached the Class 2A state tournament in the SunDome this past March.

This time, when not playing, they’ll spend their time with mom and dad in the family RV when not playing.

“We’re a hoop family,” said A.J. Webb, who also was enjoying the weekend’s festivities. “We really like eastern Washington — the weather, the people.”

“It’s family first,” said Ben Webb, adding that the brothers have enjoyed themselves so much this weekend that they’ll try to return on a regular basis. “It’s just a lot of fun.”

8/30/09 Hot Shots 3-on-3 results

SATURDAY’S RESULTS

CHILDREN

Girls first/second grade: West Valley Wildcats def. Cayuse 5, forefeit; West Valley Wildcats 6, Naches Pistols 4; Naches Pistol 2, Lightning Hoop Stars 1; Lightning def. Cayuse 5, forefeit.

Girls third grade: KISS 8, Lady Bugs 1; NBA All Stars 9, Star Streamers 3; Selah Swishettes 10, Go Getters 2; PPG 4, Lone Wolf Cubs 2; Selah 7, PPC 0; NBA All Stars 7, KISS 1; Lady Bugs 6, Star Streamers 3.

Girls fourth grade: Super Swish 12, Zillah 2; Rim Rocks Girls 11, Ballers and DA Beast 2; Flight 16, West Valley Girls 0;Fearless 14, The Scrappers 4;Super Swish 9, D-Fenderz 2; Mabton Lil Lady Viks 7, Rim Rockers 5; Scrappers 7, Zillah 6; Ballers and the Beast 18, West Valley Girls 1; Ballers 9, D-Fenderz 3; Rim Rocker Girls 9, Scrappers 8; Flight 6, Super Swoosh 5; Fearless 11, Lil Lady Viks 2; Elite Red 17 Blazers 4.

Girls fifth grade: Bubble Busters 7, Elite Blue 5; Rising Stars 7, SMAC Ballers 3; Road Runners 14, Shooting Stars 2; Little Ballers 11, Elite Red 6; Bubble Busters 11, Slamma Jamma Ballerz 8; Smac Ballerz 14, Elite Blue 6; Shooting Stars 14, Blazers 1; Smac Ballerz 9, Elite Red 4; Slamma Jamma Ballerz 8, Shooting Stars 4; Lil Ballers 9, Rising Stars 8; Road Runners 15, Bubble Busters 2.

Girls sixth grade Lisa Leslie: Grandview Ballerz 11, Mean Girls 0; D’ is the Key 14, Naches Knockouts 6; Tasmanian Devils 11, Selah Smashers 6; Zillah All Stars 20, Girls From the Gap 4; D Is The Key 13, Hot Tamales 5; Selah Smashers 6, Mean Girls 3; Freedom Fighters 8, Grandview Ballers 6; Naches Knockouts 9, Girls From the Gap 5; Hot Tamales 9, Selah Smashers 8; Grandview Ballerz 13, Naches Knockouts 7; D Is The Key 16, Tasmanian Devil 4; All Stars 12, Freedom Fighters 6.

Girls sixth grade Sue Bird: Granger All Stars 12, Flamin Hot Devils 7; Furious 4 11, Battle Chicks 2; Four Funky Monkeys-YVFWC 14, Naches Lady Rangers 6; Small Town Girls 11, Phab 4 5; Granger All Stars 13, Wapato Wild Things 4; Flamin Hot Devils 7, Battle Chicks 6; Fabb 4 5, Wapato Wild Things 4; Flamin Hot Devils 7, Lady Rangers 3; Granger All Stars 11, Small Town 8; Four Funky Monkeys-YVFWC 10 Furious Four 4.

Girls seventh grade: WV Elite Black 13, Fire Crackers 1; WV Elite Blue 6, Hoop Dreams 5; Triple Threat Ballerz 13, X-Treme Ballerz 11; Lone Wolf 1 11, U Can’ See Me-YVFWC 10; Hoop Dreams 20, X-Treme Ballerz 4; West Valley Blue 14, Federal Way Heat 2; West Valley Black 8, Toppenish 3; You Can’t See Me 13, Fire Crackers 6; Hoop Dreams 12, Toppenish 6; U Can’t See Me, 13 Heat 4; WV Elite 10, Zillah 6; WV Elite-Blue 4 Lone Wolf 2.

Girls eighth grade: DA Ninja Turtles 15, Junior Lady Scots 5; The Re-Inforcements 11, Lonewolf 2 7; Dips Hits 15, Super Heros 5; Sunnyside 17, Yakima Lightning 13; DA Ninja Turtles 15, Wildcatz 11; Port Angeles Ice def. Dips Hitz, forefeit; Reinforcements 6, Pheonix Suns 5; Sunnyside 18, White Pass 6; Wildcats 11, Super Heros 1; Lightning 12, Pheonix Suns 6; Dips Hitz 11, Lady Scots 2; White Pass 17, Lonewolf 2 8.

Girls ninth grade: PBAJ Extreme 7, BAMF’S 4; Zillah Frosh 6, Ballerz 5; Rise Above 10, Thrillers 8; Olympic Avalanche 10, Mabton Girlz 9; PBAJ Extreme 11, Zillah Frosh 10; Ballerz 12, BAMF’S 10; Rise Above 7, Avalanche 6; Mabton 15, Thrillers 11.

Girls 10th/11th: Bad Medicine 16, Valley Girls 3; Bobz def. The Unshakeables, forefeit; NVHS 20, The Jokerz 3; Charlie’s Angels 17, Sun Town Ladiez 13; Girls Bobz 10, Bad Medicine 3; Valley Girls 12, Unshakeables 6; Charlie’s Angels 14, NVHS 10; Sun Town 20, Jokerz JSG 5

Girls 12th grade: Triple Double Blue def. Furious Four, forefeit; Lady Ballerz def. Masters of the Game, forefeit; Native Chix 20, We Do It Big 12; Got Game 20, Sunnyside Girls 11; Hooperz 11, Lady Scots 4; Puget Sound Elite 15, RIP MJ 6; Tippin On Our J’s 9, 2 Legit 2 Quit 8; Super DP’s 12, Triple Double White 7; Lady Ballerz 20, Triple Double Blue 6; Native Chix 17, Got Game 12; Puget Sound Elite 20, Hooperz 8; Super DP’s 9, Tippin 7; Masters of the Game 11, Furious Four 7; We Do It Big 20, Sunnyside Girls 9; RIP MJ 6, Lady Scots 5; 2 Legit 2 Quit 14, Triple Double White 11.

Boys first/second grade: Rattlers 3, St Paul One 2; Lil Ballers 8, Optimus Ram 2; Little Pirates 20, St Paul Two 0; West Valley Lil Rams 6, Knicks 1; Rattlers 10, Lil Ballers 5; Little Pirates 7, WV Lil Rams 4; Knicks 11, St Paul 2 2; St Paul 1 4, Optimus Ram 3.

Boys third grade: Yakima Sports Supply 1 15, Mario Bros 3; Naches 8, EV MIB 4; Triple Threat Ballerz 12, Rim Rocks Boyz 3; Yakima Sports Supply 2 20, Home Boyz 1; Yakima Sports Supply 1 7, Lil G Town Ballerz 6; East Valley 6, Mario Bros 4; Little G-Town Ballers 8, Home Boyz 8; Rim Rocka Boys 7, EV Men in Black 6; Triple Threat Ballerz 13, Naches 6; Yakima Sports Supply 2 9, Yakima Sports Supply 1 8.

Boys fourth grade: Mustangs 8, Lightning Boyz 7; Rangers 13, Little Heat 4; Federal Way Ballers 7, WS Cougars 4; Lil Grizz 20, Zillah 7; Rangers 15, Mustangs 3; Lil Grizz 13, Federal Way Heat 8; Little Heat 15, Lightning Boyz 6.

Boys fifth grade: Zillah 20, WV Elite Black 0; Addicted to Hoops 7, EV Bombers 6; Harrah Panthers 16, Lightning Strike 10; West Valley 20, Bad Medicine 8; Zillah 20, EV Monster 5; EV Bombers 11, WV Elite Black 1; Bad Medicine 19, EV Monster 10; EV Bombers 14, Lightning Strike 13; Addicted to Hoops 11, Harrah Pathers 4; Zillah 17, West Valley 10.

Boys sixth grade: Burnin Ice 13, Young Guns 11; The Four Basketeers def. Grizzly Ballers, forefeit; Freezin Fire 11, Speed 9; Mabton Mighty Viks 16, WV Sharks 13; Naches Ranger Danger 16, Wapato Final Four 8; Burnin Ice 13, Kodiak Boys 7; Yakima Cougars 17, Four Basketeers 5; Mabton Mighty Viks 13, Freezin Fire 12; Renegades 15, Naches Ranger Danger 14; Speed 11, WV Sharks 9; Wapato Final Four 11, The Four Basketeers 3; Freezin Fire 11, Young Guns 10; Naches def. Grizzly Ballers, forefeit; Speed 12, Kodiak Boys 10,

Boys seventh grade: Yakima Lightning 10, West Valley Rams 7; Wapato Warriors 14, Ankle Breakerz 3; Hangtime 20, Marquette Boys 5; Final 4 15, Thunder 10; Yakima Terminators 15, Men in Black 4; Street King 2 18, Lightning 10; Wapato Warriors 15, Yak Town Ballerz 8; Hangtime 20, Final 4 4; Yakima Terminators 15, Hoop It Up 14; Yak Town Ballers def. Men in Black, forefeit; Thunder 14, Marquette Boys 7; Final 4 12, West Valley Rams 5; Hoop It Up 20, Ankle Breakerz 6; Lightning 11, Thunder 10.

Boys eight grade: Fantastic Four 12, Team Fresh 6; Back 2 Back 14, Hustler 11; Future Legendz 15, Z^3 9; Yakima Ballers def. Disturbing the Peace, forefeit; Not So Good 14, Spartan Ballerz 9; Them 1 Guy’s 11, Ninja Turtles 8; Driver’s Ed, 15 Spiderz 12; Bad Medicine 19, Medicine Valley 11; Back 2 Back 17, Fantastic Four 6; Future Legendz 14, Yakima Ballers 3; Them 1 Guy’s 21, Bad Medicine 20; Driver’s Ed 17, Not So Good 10; Hustlers 16,, Team Fresh 11; Disturbing the Peace 13, Z^3 11; Spiderz 20, Spartan Ballerz 6; Medicine Valley 16, Ninja Turtles 0; Spiderz 20, Spartan Ballerz 6.

Boys ninth grade: Z-Town Ballers 19, Hulk 11; EV Flight Club def. Bad Thunder, forefeit; DA Freshmenz 20, ljerk 16; Riverside Christian 17, The Bash 10; YVFWC – Mabton & One 17, Z-Town Ballers 16; Hit the Boards 7, East Valley Flight Club 6; Freshmenz def. Wheeler Boys, forefeit; Heartbreakers 20, Riverside 5; ijerk 20, Ballers 12; EV Flight Club 9, Bash 8; Hulk 17, Wheeler Boys 8; Bad Thunder 15, Riverside Chris 13.

Boys 10th grade: Dubs 17, We Got Next 14; Fire Dogs def. Triple Double Black, forefeit; Underdogs 12, Naches Blue 7; Grandview Greyhounds 20, The One’s 12; Mendelez Automotive 20, Boats & Hose 10; Dubs 12, Toppenish 11; Scots 13, Fire Dogs 8; Grandview Greyhounds 12, Underdogs 11; Mendelez Automotive 12, EV Crew 10; The One’s 15, Naches Blue 11; Fire Dogs 8, Boats & Hose 7; We Got Next 17, Underdogs 15; EV Crew 16, Triple Double Black 7; Toppenish 19, The One’s 18.

Boys 11th grade: Wapato PMW 16, Dope Boys 11; Leopards 16, DA Assasins 13; Yakima Sports Supply 14, Highland 8; Eagles 19, WM 6; The 4 Amigos def. G-Town Dawgs, forefeit; Wapato 20, Who’s Next 7; Yakima 15, Eagles 14; Teen Titans 14, Leopards 13; 4 Amigos 18, Team Wapato 6; Leopards def. G Town, forefeit; WM 14, Highland 9; Eagles 20, Dope Boys 6; Team Wapato 14, Da Assasins 13; WM 15, Who’s Next 5.

Boys 12th grade: Goon Squad 18, War Hoops 17; Flint Tropics 15, Devils 11; Poochies 13, Dream Team 8; Nuthin Nice 20, CSI 12; Holla 13, Goon Squad 9; Wapato Wolves-Attack the Room 20, Flint Tropics 11; Nuthin Nice 20, Gym Ratz 7; Poochies 20, Umatilla 16; Dream Team 17, Goon Squad 16; Flint Tropics 19, CSI 18; War Hoop Red 18, Umatilla 17; Devils 15, Gym Ratz 14.

ADULT

Men’s Open Jordan: Anger Management 19, Los Chaparitos 11; Philly Boyz 18, The Bodskies 5; Torn Ligaments 13, Barely Ballers 10; My Nets Are on Fire def. Bulldogs, forefeit; Oxford Inn/Suites def. Triple Double Gray, forefeit; Anger Management 20, C-Ballers 17; Philly Boyz 15, Viking Quest 4; College Kids 20, Oxford Suites/Inn 17; Torn Ligaments 17, My Nets are on Fine 8; Barrely Ballers 20, Bulldogs 7; Viking Quest def. Triple Double Gray, forefeit; C-Ballers 15, Barely Ballers 14; Oxford Inn/Suites 20, The Bodskies 12.

Men’s Open Lebron: Krome 20, Street Smarts 12; Tae Kwon Do 18, Long Shot 8; Young Gunz 17, Team Obama 16; LOFT 19, T-Town Ballerz 18; Krome 19, Tae Kuan Do 12LOFT 17, Young Guns 16; Street Smarts 17, Long Shot 13; Team Obama 17, T-Town Ballerz 8.

Men’s Open Shaq: Down Low 19 Porcelain Soldiers 15; Flaming J’s 17 Yakima Regional 10; Fresh Out 11 Schell’s Produce 5; Yakima Sports Supply/Old School 20 Jack-sons 5; Down Low 16 KCJC 14; Recognized Ballerz 15 Flaming J’s 14; Yakima Regional 18 Jack-sons 11; KCJC 18 Shell’s Produce 13; Seven Cedars Casino 15 Fresh Out 14; Porcelain Soldiers 12 Fresh Out 11.

Men’s 6-feet and under Jordan: Fabb 4 20, Xtreme 10; Sunset All Stars 18, Gametime 17; General Council def. NYK, forefeit; Scoop 15, Westside Scrubs 11; Old Skool Nu Game 20, Yakima Sports Supply 15; Who’s Next def. Yakima Bears, forefeit; Fabb 4 17, The Get It Boys 16; Scoop 20, Sunset All Stars 19; Old Skool Nu Game 20, General Council 10; Yakima Sports Supply def. NYK, forefeit; Who’s Next 20, MNTJ’S 11; Westside Scrubs 20, Game Time 15; Sunset All Stars 15, Yakima Bears 14; X-Treme 20, General Council 6; Yakima Supply 20, Get Back Boys 19; Westside Scrubs 20, MNTJ’S 8.

Men’s 6-feet and under Lebron: Once Young Guns def. Air Ballers, forefeit; The Usual Suspects 20, Ballocaust 14; Vipers 20, PTO Alumni 17; Chunky Boyz def. Wamplon, forefeit; Ramirez Ballers 18, Cliett Boys 17; G Town Ballerz 20, Wapos 12; Saucy Stealth 20, Rezzed Out 5; Had Game!!! 20, Once Young Guns 9; Ususal Suspects 20, Vipers 7; Ramirez Ballers 20, Chunky Boys 12; G Town Ballerz 20, Saucy Stealth 17; Wampton 20, Cliett Boys 8; Wapos 20, Rezzed Out 5; Ballocaust 16, PTO Alumni 15; Cliett Boys 15, Rezzed Out 8.

Men’s 6-feet and under Shaq: Mabton 20, Tha Trybe 13; Street Ballers 13, Minute Men 12; Ste 8 Ballin 19, Team Finesse 10; Sixers 13, White Men Can’t Jump 6; Get On Our Level 20, Techno Tronic 9; Sik Wit It!!! 16, Mabton 15; Street Ballers 19, Z-Uptown 7; Str 8 Ballin’ 18, Sixers 12; Yee 20, Get on Our Level 12; White Men Can’t Jump 19, Team Fitness 18; Z Uptown 17, Techno Tronic 7; Tha Trybe def. Sixers, forefeit; Minute Men 13, Get on Our Level 11; Mabton 20, White Men Can’t Jump 8.

Women’s Open: Bad Mamma Jammas 12, LKC 11; LaMamba 10, Hot Mommas 8; Team Yak 14, Bad Mamma Jammas 11; Hot Mommas 13, LKC 8; LaMamba 17, Team Yak 16.
Coed: Tims Towing 18, Wildcatz 16; Awesomeness 19, Cobras 14; Tims Towing 20, Jelly Beans 9; Awesomeness 15, Slewtown Ballerz 9; Wildcats 16, Slawown Ballerz 6; Jellybeans 14, Cobras 9; Tim’s Towing 14, Awesomeness 7.

Things come together for Bears

YAKIMA, Wash. — Of course the Bears missed Ryan Wheeler.

What team wouldn’t prefer having a .363 hitter who catches anything hit or thrown near him and runs like a deer?

But in lieu of its All-Star first baseman, who had been called up to South Bend the evening prior, Yakima got what it really needed Saturday night.

The Bears, who hadn’t led since the seventh inning of their Aug. 23 game at Tri-City, got notable contributions from several players in Saturday night’s 2-0 defeat of Spokane, which before an announced 1,960 at Yakima County Stadium, snapped a seven-game losing streak.

First and foremost was Andrew Wolcott, who after some much-needed rest pitched seven innings of four-hit, three-strikeout, one-hit ball.

Following suit were Will Harvil, who worked a hitless eighth, and Brian Budrow, who reveled in a game-ending double play that secured his fifth save in as many chances and dropped his ERA to 2.79.

“The rest helped,” said Wolcott (3-5), whose most recent turn in the rotation was skipped due to discomfort in his upper back. “I felt refreshed, I was able to throw strikes and our defense played so well behind me.

“It’s easy to pitch with that kind of support. That double play to end the game was the icing on the cake.”

It was a bit more than that, since the Indians had loaded the bases.

Jason Ogata, the Northwest League’s leading hitter at .394, and who had doubled in his previous at bat, began the Spokane (34-24) ninth with a laser that caromed high off the wall in dead center field for another two-bagger. Budrow then walked Jared Prince on a 3-2 pitch, but made a crucial putout on Danny Lima’s sacrifice bunt that was so well placed it could have gone for a hit.

Yakima manager Bob Didier, having conferred with pitching coach Gil Heredia, then chose to intentionally walk left-handed hitter Clark Murphy so Budrow, a righty, could challenge the right-handed bat of Alberto Puello.

The idea, obviously, was that Puello, a catcher, might hit into a double play. And guess what?

“I had a perfect view of that play, and we’ve all seen it so many times,” Budrow said of the second baseman Gerson Montilla-to-shortstop Brent Greer-to-Matt Helm (Wheeler’s successor at first) twin killing. “It’s amazing to watch them play together. It’s like they’ve been doing that their whole lives.”

The game might still be in progress, however, had it not been for Tyrell Worthington.

The hard-luck victim of some hard-hit liners that had found leather on recent nights, the Bears No. 9 hitter punched a two-out, two-run single to right for the game’s only runs in the second inning.

Beyond base hits by Helm and Astolfo Inciarte preceding Worthington, Yakima’s only other safety was Matt Davidson’s single in the eighth.

“I’d been putting the ball in play,” Worthington said, “and a few times I’d hit it hard but it kept going right at people. This time I was able to squeak one through.”

The Bears’ third shutout of the season improved them to 24-44, and also dealt a blow to Spokane’s flickering playoff hopes. Combined with division-leading Tri-City’s win over Boise, it reduced the Dust Devils’ magic number for clinching the Northwest League East to one.

“Spokane’s a good club,” Didier said of the Indians, who had won seven straight. “But we lost our best player last night, we put in some really long days out here and we do work hard, so it’s nice to win a game — at least every once in awhile.”

Braden Tullis (3-3), an eighth-round draftee out of Skagit Valley College by the Texas Rangers, took the loss.

8/30/09 Yakima Bears update

Next game

Opponent: Spokane Indians.

When, where: 5:35 p.m. today, Yakima County Stadium.

Radio: KUTI (1460).

Probable pitchers: Yakima RHP Chris Odegaard (1-7, 4.30) vs. Spokane RHP Ben Henry (2-3, 6.80).

Notes

TIP O’THE CAP TO TAYLOR: Starting pitcher Dan Taylor was named the Bears Player of the Month for August and awarded a commemorative watch by Dunbar Jewelers.

In 31 innings during the month, the left-hander from Central Michigan University struck out 38 while walking only 10. He also went 2-0.

MORE THOUGHTS ON WHEELER: The afternoon after Ryan Wheeler’s departure for South Bend, Bears coaches and players continued to sing the praises of a player who must be considered one of the best to have performed for Yakima.

“A joy to manage,” Bob Didier said. “Great kid, and a really good player who played the game the right way.”

Said Dan Kaczrowski, “He’s one of the best players I’ve ever played with. And the thing about Ryan is he was always talking baseball. He’s just a baseball guy. He would always talk baseball and he’d never get sick of it. And that’s one of the reasons he is where he is.”

For this reporter, who considers Wheeler to be the best all-around Bears player he’s seen since he began covering the Northwest League in 2003 (Conor Jackson was a better pure hitter, but not close to Wheeler defensively or as a baserunner), the enduring image will be of Wheeler, in a game his team was losing by seven runs in the sixth inning Thursday night, running as hard as he possibly could to avoid becoming the second out of a double play and missing a textbook relay by only half a step.

AND PLAYING FIRST BASE …: Matt Helm, who turns 19 on Tuesday, will probably assume Wheeler’s first base duties for the remaining games of the Bears’ Northwest League season.

Having arrived in Yakima on Aug. 19, Helm has been broken in gradually. It’s been a little more than two months, after all, since he was one of a class of more than 800 to graduate from Hamilton High School in Chandler, Ariz.

“It’s been an adjustment,” said the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Helm, who played third, first and pitched in high school, and was also a safety and linebacker in football. “But I’m having a blast. This is way better than going to school.”

Had Helm not signed as the Arizona Diamondbacks seventh-round draft choice last June, he had committed to the University of Arizona.

Box score

SPOKANE YAKIMA ab r h bi ab r h bi Rhoad cf 3 0 0 0 Kacrwski 3b 3 0 0 0 Bnadnna 2b 3 0 1 0 Greer ss 4 0 0 0 Velazquez rf 4 0 0 0 Sherlck rf-lf 2 0 0 0 Ogata dh 3 0 2 0 Davidson dh 4 0 1 0 Prince lf 3 0 1 0 Canelo pr-dh 0 0 0 0 Martinez pr 0 0 0 0 Montilla 2b 4 0 0 0 Lima 3b 3 0 1 0 Helm 1b 3 1 1 0 Murphy 1b 3 0 0 0 Inciarte lf 3 1 1 0 Puello c 4 0 0 0 Rodriguez rf 0 0 0 0 Duron ss 3 0 0 0 Aguila c 2 0 0 0 Wrthngtn cf 2 0 1 2 Totals 29 0 5 0 Totals 27 2 4 2

Spokane 000 000 000 — 0 Yakima 020 000 000 — 2

E—Velazquez, Lima, Montilla. DP—Spokane 2, Yakima 2. LOB—Spokane 8, Yakima 6. 2B—Bonadonna, Ogata 2. S—Lima. SB—Bonadonna. CS—Rhoad.

IP H R ER BB SO Spokane Tullis L,3-3 5 3 2 2 2 3 Campbell 2 0 0 0 3 0 Matlock 1 1 0 0 0 1 Yakima Wolcott W,3-5 7 4 0 0 1 3 Harvil 1 0 0 0 1 1 Budrow 1 1 0 0 2 0

WP—Tullis, Wolcott. HBP—Ogata (by Wolcott). Umpires—Richard Wilson, John Bostwick. T—2:16. A—1,960.

Northwest League Standings

EAST DIVISION

W L Pct. GB Tri-City (Rockies) 42 26 .618 — Spokane (Rangers) 34 34 .500 8 Boise (Cubs) 30 38 .441 12 Yakima (D-backs) 24 44 .353 18

WEST DIVISION

W L Pct. GB Salem-Keizer (Giants) 43 25 .632 — Everett (Mariners) 35 33 .515 8 Vancouver (Athletics) 33 35 .485 10 Eugene (Padres) 31 37 .456 12

Saturday’s results Salem-Keizer 4, Everett 3 Eugene 12, Vancouver 4 Yakima 2, Spokane 0 Tri-City 3, Boise 1 Sunday’s games Salem-Keizer at Everett, 4:05 p.m. Eugene at Vancouver, 4:05 p.m. Spokane at Yakima, 8:35 p.m. Boise at Tri-City, 10:15 p.m.

Santos wins again for CWU

FAIRBANKS, Alaska — Central Washington’s Manuel Santos won for the second time in three days but his Wildcats lost by a point to host Alaska on the final day of the Birch Hill Invitational cross country meet on Saturday.

Santos, a junior from Davis, clocked 9 minutes, 42 seconds on the 3,000-meter course. Teammates Matt Nodine and Tom Johnson finished third and fourth, respectively.

Alaska’s men, who tied Central on Thursday on a 5,000-meter course, clipped the Wildcats 28-29.

Stephanie Cooke was Central’s top-placing woman in sixth.

CWU resumes competition on Sept. 12 for its annual Apple Ridge Run Invitational in Yakima.

MEN

Team score: Alaska 28, Central Washington 29.

Winner: Manuel Santos (CW) 9:42.0. Central leaders: 3, Matt Nodine, 10:00.6; 4, Tom Johnson, 10:01.5; 10, Wes Hargrove, 10:22.1; 16, Scott Power, 10:43.9.

WOMEN

Team score: Alaska 16, Central Washington 42.

Winner: Theresia Schnurr (A) 11:11.1. Central leaders: 6, Stephanie Cooke, 12:15.4; 9, Kelsey Kreft, 12:24.2; 11, Mary Bakeman, 12:38.9; 12, Adriana Mendoza, 12:45.7; 14, Shannon Vreeland, 14:06.5.

Central volleyball places second

ROHNERT PARK, Calif. — Kady Try and Erin Norris had 10 kills in each match as Central Washington split a pair contests on Saturday to finish second in the 10-team Seawolf Spike Invitational.

Try’s team-high 10 kills without a hitting error came in a 25-10, 25-16, 25-16 sweep over Cal State Stanislaus.

In a meeting of previously unbeaten teams, the Wildcats then fell to tournament host Sonoma State, 25-19, 25-17, 25-14. Norris, who totaled 14 aces in four matches, was selected to the all-tournament team.

The Wildcats return home to host the eight-team CWU Invitational next Thursday and Friday.

First match

Team score: Central Washington d. Cal State Stanislaus 25-10, 25-16, 25-16.

Central highlights: Kady Try 10 kills, 4 blocks, 8 digs; Meg Ryan 9 kills, 8 digs; Erin Norris 7 kills, 4 aces; Kristel Baeckel 4 kills, 4 blocks; Carlee Marble 32 assists; Brandie Vea 13 digs.

Second match

Team score: Sonoma State d. Central Washington 25-19, 25-17, 25-14.

Central highlights: Erin Norris 10 kills; Kady Try 9 kills, 9 digs; Meg Ryan 5 kills; Carlee Marble 27 assists; Brandie Vea 31 digs; Deidre Scheidt 8 digs.

Wildcats fall in double OT

SAN DIEGO — Kaycie Hutchins’ late goal for Central Washington forced overtime but the Wildcats fell 2-1 in a second extra session to 18th-ranked UC San Diego in women’s soccer on Saturday.

Amy Pate assisted on Hutchins’ game-tying goal, and goalkeeper Amber Easterbrook made four saves for the Wildcats (0-2).

First half: 1, UCSD, Gabi Hernandez, 5:04.

Second half: 2, CWU, Kaycie Hutchins (Amy Pate), 72:52.

Second OT: 3, UCSD, Sarah McTigue, 1:03:55.

Saves: Amber Easterbrook (CWU) 4, Kristin Armstrong (SD) 3.

Capps shoots age at Elks

SELAH, Wash. — An under-par round is always exciting for any golfer, but for Don Capps it was particularly satisfying because this particular time, he also matched his age.

Playing Friday at the par 71 Yakima Elks Golf and Country Club, Capps, 69, shot a 2-under par round to match his age.

8/30/09 Hot Shots photo gallery

A look at some of the sights from Saturday’s play at the Hot Shots 3-on-3 tournament in downtown Yakima. All photos by Yakima Herald-Republic photographer Andy Sawyer.

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