Ex-Yak Johnson eyes draft, Bears struggle
June 23, 2010 by Roger Underwood
• Anthony Johnson, the former Yakima Valley basketball standout who went on to Big Sky Conference greatness at Montana, will be tuned into Thursday night’s NBA draft.
If his name isn’t called, he’ll still be waiting to hear from his agent about a possible signing, and/or to join a team in the NBA’s summer league in Las Vegas.
“Talking to him, if he gets drafted it will probably be late second round,” said Ray Funk, his coach at YVCC where Johnson led the 2008 Yaks to an NWAACC Tournament championship. So far, Johnson has had workouts with Boston, New York and New Jersey. If nothing in the NBA pans out for next season, Funk said, Johnson will probably play professionally in Europe.
But wait. Johnson has already been drafted, along with his wife, Shaunte Nance-Johnson, who played for the YVCC women in 2006-07, and who also continued her career at Montana. Both were picked Tuesday by the Harlem Globetrotters.
They were the first husband-wife team to be drafted by a drafted by a pro team. Should the Johnsons sign with the Globetrotters, Shaunte would become the ninth woman to play for the team.
“It’s a huge honor that someone is interested in our basketball abilities,” Nance-Johnson said in a press release from Montana’s sports information department. “But the Globetrotters also represent character and service, and they have a history with the African-American community, which is important to us.
“At this point,” she added, “Anthony’s A, B and C priorities are living out his dream of playing in the NBA. His second option is playing overseas.”
Already entrenched in Grizzly basketball lore, Johnson gained the national spotlight last March when he scored 34 of his 42 points in the second half to rally Montana from a 20-point deficit and a conference tournament title win over Weber State on ESPN2.
More recently, Johnson’s heroics have earned him an ESPY nomination. His performance will compete in the best championship performance category with Drew Brees, snowboarder Shaun White and swimmer Michael Phelps.
• The Bears? Having seen them play only three times this season, I’d like to say there is reason for optimism. And there truly might be if Everett is really, really good.
The first order of business is to find a reliable starting pitcher other than Andrew Wolcott, and pitching coach Doug Drabek might well do that.
It’s also possible that future Arizona signees will bolster manager Bob Didier’s lineup.
Beyond that, counting Thursday night there are 70 games left — or 32 in the first half of the Northwest League season. So a lot can happen, and even considering the Bears’ history over the past six seasons — during which they’ve finished with losing records — it doesn’t necessarily have to be bad.
FROM THE QUOTE FILE
Sonics guard Fred Brown, when told that Phoenix counterpart Paul Westphal was ambidextrous:
“That would be a big advantage. In fact, I’d give me right arm to be ambidextrous.”
Everett holds off Yakima
June 23, 2010 by YH-R Sports
Bears fan 13 times in 4th straight loss||
EVERETT — Opening day for the Yakima Bears was less than a week ago but it must seem like a distant memory.
After an impressive 7-0 victory over Boise to launch the new campaign on Friday, the Bears have been stuck on that win total and Tuesday’s game against the Everett AquaSox was no help.
Managing just three hits and striking out 13 times, Yakima’s losing streak stretched to four games with a 5-3 loss at Everett Memorial Stadium.
Even with those offensive difficulties, the Bears threatened late with the tying run at the plate and no outs in the ninth inning. Everett closer Fray Martinez got the next two batters out and, after yielding an RBI single to Roberto Ortiz, ended the game by striking out pinch-hitting Ender Inciarte.
The evening started promisingly when outfielder Justin Hilt led off the second inning with his first home run of the season to stake the Bears to a 1-0 lead.
But Everett got the run back in the bottom of the second and then broke away with three runs in the third thanks to RBI singles by Kevin Rivers, Jimmy Jacquot and Evan Sharpley.
The Bears had a chance for a big rally in the fifth but were able to produce just one run, and Everett got that run back in the sixth.
6/23/10 Yakima Bears update
June 23, 2010 by YH-R Sports
Next game
Opponent: Everett AquaSox.
When, where: 7:05 p.m. today, Everett Memorial Stadium, Everett.
Radio: KUTI (1460).
Website: www.yakimabears.com.
Probable pitchers: Yakima RHP Andrew Wolcott (1-0, 0.00) vs. Yoervis Medina (1-0, 1.50).
Box score
AquaSox 5, Bears 3
YAKIMA EVERETT
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Moss cf 3 0 0 0 Britton cf 4 0 0 0
Cmerta 2b 2 0 0 0 Srrno ss 4 2 1 0
Walters ss 4 0 0 0 Mlloux 1b 5 1 2 1
Hilt rf 4 1 1 1 Rivers rf 4 2 2 1
Pimntl 1b 2 0 0 0 Jcquot dh 4 0 3 1
Arbelo 1b 2 1 0 0 Shrply 3b 3 0 1 1
Gomez c 3 0 0 0 Baron c 4 0 0 0
Weber 3b 2 0 0 0 Anston lf 2 0 1 0
Zaballa dh 2 0 0 0 Phllps 2b 3 0 1 0
Button dh 2 0 0 0
Ortiz lf 3 1 2 1
Inciarte ph 1 0 0 0
Emsley c 0 0 0 0
Totals 30 3 3 2 Totals 33 5 11 4
Yakima 010 010 001 — 3
Everett 013 001 00x — 5
E—Serrano, Phillips. DP—Yakima 2. LOB—Yakima 7, Everett 11. 2B—Ortiz, Mailloux. HR—Hilt. SB—Ortiz, Serrano 2, Mailloux, Britton. CS—Moss.
IP H R ER BB SO
Yakima
Reagan L,0-1 3 6 4 4 5 3
De La Rosa 2 1 0 0 1 4
Cantwell 1 2 1 1 0 2
Hale 2 2 0 0 0 3
Everett
Seco 4 2-3 2 2 2 5 7
Snow 1 1-3 0 0 0 0 1
Diaz W,1-0 2 0 0 0 1 3
Martinez S,2 1 1 1 0 1 2
WP—Reagan, Seco 2. HBP— Britton (by Reagan). Umpires—Cascioppo, Bostwick. T—2:59. A—2,417.
NWL Standings
EAST DIVISION
W L Pct. GB
Tri-City (Rockies) 4 0 1.000 —
Boise (Cubs) 3 2 .600 11?2
Spokane (Rangers) 1 3 .250 3
Yakima (D-backs) 1 4 .200 31?2
WEST DIVISION
W L Pct. GB
Everett (Mariners) 5 0 1.000 —
Eugene (Padres) 2 3 .400 3
Vancouver (Athletics) 2 3 .400 3
Salem-Keizer (Giants) 1 4 .200 4
Tuesday’s results
Everett 5, Yakima 3
Spokane 8, Vancouver 1
Boise 6, Salem-Keizer 2
Tri-City 6, Eugene 5
Today’s games
Yakima at Everett, 7:05 p.m.
Spokane at Vancouver, 7:05 p.m.
Salem-Keizer at Boise, 6:15 p.m.
Eugene at Tri-City, 7:15 p.m.
Local report — Centralia rallies by Beetles
June 23, 2010 by YH-R Sports
YAKIMA — Rallying with four runs in the ninth inning, the Sobe-Toyota Lizards from Centralia defeated the Yakima Pepsi Beetles 8-5 in non-league Legion baseball Tuesday night at Parker Field.
The Beetles, who led 5-4 heading into the ninth, outhit Centralia 11-9 with Marcus McClurkin going 3-for-5 with an RBI.
Yakima (2-2 league, 12-13 overall) will resume Central Washington League play today with a doubleheader at Hanford and then leave directly for a tournament in Salem, Ore.
Centralia 001 002 014 — 8 9 2
Yakima 010 120 010 — 5 11 3
Stuart, Witters (6) and Housden; Roddy, Jensen (5), Hartwig (7), Clements (9), Reyes (9) and Reyes, Lombardi (9).
Yakima highlights: Marcus McClurkin 3-5, RBI; Max Kovatch 2-5; Michael Calderon 2-4, 2b.
SOCCER
Strikers to host Sidekick demo
The Sun City Strikers will be hosting a demonstration of the SideKick machine they hope to purchase at 6 p.m. today at the Perry Soccer Complex next to J.M. Perry Tech.
Jeff Alger of Seattle Sports Sciences plans on demonstrating the machine, which simulates passes and shots to help train field players and goalkeepers.
HIGH SCHOOLS
Thorson takes Mabton grid job
Shane Thorson has been hired by Mabton High School to coach its varsity football team this fall. Thorson was an assistant coach at Pasco in 2009.
Thorson, who will be Mabton’s fourth coach in six years, replaces Brandon Harting, whose head coaching contract was not renewed after his second season.
YOUTH BASEBALL
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
Yakima Valley Peppers 11, East Valley 4 (YVP: Garrett Fife 2-2, 3 runs, 2b, RBI; Jack Cavanaugh 1-3, run, 2b, 2 RBI; Mason Hall 1-3, 2b; Caron Peatre 2-3, run, RBI).
Walla Walla 18, West Valley Baseball Club 4 (WV: Kyle Conrad 1-2, 2-run HR; Mikey Bonnett 1-2, 2b, RBI).
West Valley Baseball Club 4, Walla Walla 3 (WV: Cody McDonald 2-3, 2 runs; Tyle Ueltschi 3-3, game-winning RBI).
Junior Beetles 7, Wenatchee Blues 4 (JB: Nate Villegas 2-4; Josh Piper 2-3, 4 RBI; Lavonte Allen 2-4, 2 RBI; Trent Dupre CG, 6 K).
Wenatchee Blues 3, Junior Beetles 1 (JB: Andrew Melhorn CG).
Bears unlucky late for second straight night
June 21, 2010 by YH-R Sports
EVERETT — For the second consecutive night, the Yakima Bears came back to tie the ballgame in the late innings.
But for the second straight night, Yakima dropped the decision as the Everett AquaSox won 6-5 in walkoff fashion Monday night at Memorial Stadium.
Terry Serano’s run-scoring base hit to center off Greg Robinson in the bottom of the ninth was the decider.
Yakima (1-3) came out swinging early, with two home runs in the first three innings. Yazy Arbelo’s two-run homer to right center with two outs in the first, and Zach Walters’ solo shot to center with two outs in the third.
Everett took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning on a two-run homer to left by catcher Steven Baron. The Sox (4-0) then added an insurance run in the seventh on a Dwight Britton sacrifice fly to left.
The Bears tallied two unearned runs in the top of the ninth inning to extend the game on a Baron throwing error, before falling on Serano’s hit.
Austin Hudson (1-0) worked the ninth inning, allowing two unearned inherited runs to earn the win. Robinson (0-1) gave up one run in 11/3 innings to take the loss.
The Bears and AquaSox will play game two of the five-game series tonight at 7:05.
Miles Reagan will start for Yakima against Edlando Seco for Everett.
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AquaSox 6, Bears 5
YAKIMA EVERETT
ab r h bi ab r h bi
Moss lf 4 0 0 0 Britton cf 4 1 1 1
Inciarte cf 4 1 1 0 Serran 2b 4 0 1 1
Walters ss 4 1 1 1 Maillox 3b 4 1 2 0
Arbelo 1b 3 1 1 2 Rivers dh 4 0 1 1
Ortiz pr 0 1 0 0 Rivero rf 3 1 1 0
Pimentel 1b 0 0 0 0 Sharply 1b 4 1 2 1
Hilt rf 2 1 0 0 Baron c 4 1 2 2
Button dh 4 0 1 0 Anston lf 4 0 0 0
Comerot 3b 3 0 0 0 Phillips ss 2 1 1 0
Gomez 3b 1 0 1 0
Belza 2b 4 0 0 0
Emsly-Pai c 4 0 0 0
Totals 33 5 5 3 Totals 33 6 11 6
Yakima 201 000 02 — 5
Everett 100 300 101 — 6
E—Mailloux, Baron. DP—Yakima 1, Everett 0. LOB—Yakima 4, Everett 7. 2B—Button, Rivers, Rivero, Mailloux, Phillips. HR—Arbelo, Walters, Baron, Britton. SB—Rivero, Britton.
IP H R ER BB SO
Yakima
Wilson 5 6 4 4 4 5
Pizziconi 2 2 1 1 0 1
Robinson L, 0-1 1 1-3 3 1 1 0 2
Everett
Sorce 6 4 3 3 1 5
Merry 2 0 2 1 2 2
Hudson W, 1-0 1 1 0 0 0 1
Merry pitched to two batters in the 9th.
Pickoff—Phillips (by Wilson). WP—Robinson. HBP—Britton (by Wilson). Umpires—Bostwick, Cascioppo. T—2:34. A—3,933.
Columbia salmon anglers rejoice as season begins
June 21, 2010 by YH-R Outdoors
Anglers growing up and fishing during the decades of the 1980s and ’90s often heard about the fabled “June hogs” of the Columbia River, 
but never got a chance to fish for them. During a span of some 22 years, the summer chinook that migrated up the Columbia River during late June and July, were not available to anglers because their numbers were never big enough to offer a sport fishery.
That all changed in 2002. Since then, there have been at least some fisheries open every year, and this year, with an anticipated 88,800 summer chinook headed up the Columbia, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials are looking to have a full season open.
Fishing for the big salmon opened last Wednesday, and barring a dip in the predicted numbers, the season should remain open throughout the month of July on the section of the river from the Megler-Astoria Bridge upstream to the Highway 395 Bridge at Pasco.
That’s great news for anglers who want a chance at catching a really big, bright salmon.
“This fishery offers anglers a rare opportunity to catch a trophy-sized salmon,” said Northwest fishing expert Buzz Ramsey. “That’s why they are called June hogs. There is a possibility of catching a fish 40 pounds or bigger.”
Ramsey prefers to fish for the big summer chinook in the Columbia below the Bonneville Dam and will anchor up in waters that run anywhere from 8 to 17 feet and then drop a spinner or plug back behind the boat in the travel lanes of the fish.
He says that he has had his best luck in recent years using spinners of different colors including red- bladed Toman Cascade spinners in size 4 or other similar lures. And he has also had success using an M-2 FlatFish or a Mag Lip in fluorescent red.
All the lures except for the diving Mag Lip need to have a dropper weight up ahead of the lure to help get the lure down close to the bottom of the river. Depending on water flow and depth the dropper weight might be anywhere from 4 to 10 ounces.
Currently the Columbia is running exceptionally high so finding where the big fish are migrating is a bit of a conundrum. Ramsey will anchor up as close to the shoreline as possible as he figures the fish prefer to travel in the softer water where there is less current.
The high water also gives bank anglers an advantage to catch one of these big salmon. Some of the best spots for bank angling are right below Bonneville, and below the John Day Dam near Goldendale. At these spots anglers will plunk a fairly heavy weight out into the river and will attach a leader rigged with a size 0 or 2 Spin-N-Glo that spins in the current attracting fish as they move upriver.
According to WDFW biologists about a third of this year’s run of summer chinook salmon are estimated to be five-year-olds, some weighing 40 pounds or more. Anglers may retain up to two adult adipose fin-clipped hatchery chinook or hatchery steelhead (or one of each). All other salmon must be released – including sockeye, which are not expected to meet escapement goals at Lake Wenatchee this year.
WDFW officials said the six-week season scheduled for summer chinook would not be possible without new selective rules designed to preserve wild salmon. Although wild summer chinook stocks are considered healthy, fishery managers plan to conserve naturally spawning fish and set aside some summer chinook for use as broodstock at the new Chief Joseph Hatchery, scheduled for completion next year on the upper Columbia River.
If the thought of catching a 40-pound, dime-bright salmon gets you going, the “June hog” summer chinook season is open on the Columbia and with tens of thousands of the salmon migrating up river, this is a great time to try for one of these fantastic fish.
6-22 What’s Happening
June 21, 2010 by YH-R Outdoors
‘Let’s Move Outside’ program starts at Mount Rainier
Mount Rainier National Park is one of 20 national parks kicking off the Let’s Move Outside program.
Mount Rainier’s Let’s Move Outside Junior Ranger program offers kids and parents the chance to hike with a park ranger on one of the park’s trails.
The Skyscraper Saddle Hike goes through alpine meadows with views of the mountain. Meet at the Sunrise Visitor Center flagpole at 10 a.m. every Saturday between July 10 and Aug. 14. The hike is 7 miles round trip and lasts until 4 p.m.
A shorter hike, the 11?2-mile Glacier View Walk starts at the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise at 2 p.m. daily between July 1 and Sept. 6.
For more information, visit www.letsmove.gov/outside.
**********
National Park program earns $10,000 grant
Mount Rainier National Park has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the National Park Foundation to support the Camping Adventures with My Parents program. The CAMP program, in its second year, takes families who have never been camping on a two-night trip to Mount Rainier.
“The CAMP program opens the door for kids who have never camped to experience nature with their parents,” said park superintendent Dave Uberuaga. “The park rangers make it safe, fun, and a great chance to learn.”
**********
State parks commission to meet in Walla Walla
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission will meet to discuss its budget, capital priorities and user fees at its regular meeting Thursday in Walla Walla.
The meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in the Water Environmental Center at Walla Walla Community College.
Also on the agenda are a discussion between the Recreation Conservation Funding Board and the State Parks Commission on sustainable investments, and a discussion about the future of Huckleberry Island, near Anacortes and Fort Ward State Park on Bainbridge Island.
The Commission also will consider amending the agency’s comprehensive natural resource management policy to incorporate further agency direction on the management of its wetlands, allow private parties to mitigate development-related wetland impacts on agency-owned lands and approve additional policy and procedural safeguards to address concerns raised by the public.
**********
Bird Alert
A great egret was observed standing and sitting on a stick nest along Toppenish Creek this week and a second egret flew to the nest vicinity several times. There appeared to be a white patch visible below the egret in the nest. This may be the first record of nesting great egrets in Yakima County.
Bobolinks have definitely returned to Lateral C Road, even though they are somewhat hard to detect at times. Look for them in the field east of Lateral C and north of Toppenish Creek. This area is also home to a large number of Wilson’s snipe, which are sometimes spotted sitting on the fence posts.
Perhaps due to the cooler weather in the mountains, one Yakima resident’s yard has turned out to have quite a diversity of finches. The breeding house finches and American goldfinch are to be expected. The big surprise is the red crossbills feeding in the evergreen trees and the two pine siskins that joined in the mix. Five finch species for a Yakima yard in June is unusual.
A pair of Western scrub jays, three common nighthawks and two Lewis’ woodpeckers, highlighted an evening trip to Snow Mt. Ranch, where around 30 bird species were observed.
A second-year bald eagle soared over a Konnowac Pass yard this week and a family of four barn owls was spotted in the lawn looking for mice.
Please call your bird sightings into the Yakima Valley Audubon phone line at 509-248-1963
— Kerry L. Turley
**********
AROUND AND ABOUT
Operation Dry Water this weekend: Washington marine law enforcement will participate in a national program to cite people operating boats under the influence of alcohol. Operation Dry Water will run June 25-27 and focus on preventing injury and death resulting from drunken boaters.
WDFW officials will be inspecting: People hauling boats may be stopped by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officers conducting mandatory checks of boats, trailers and gear for aquatic invasive species. The annual check stations and emphasis-patrol program has begun in several parts of the state and will continue through the boating season.
The aim is to keep tiny zebra mussels, quagga mussels and other non-native species out of Washington to protect native fish, wildlife and water systems.
Forest pass decals now available: Federal Interagency Recreation and Northwest Forest passes are now available as decals for motorcycles and open-top vehicles such as Jeeps to help prevent theft of the passes. In order to obtain any of the decals, bring your valid pass and the vehicle registration to any Forest Service office.
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ON THE CALENDAR
TODAY: The Cascadians’ burly “Tuesdays” group will do a quite uphill hike of Fifes Peak, a 9- to 10-mile hike with 3,300 feet of elevation gain. The group meets at 8 a.m. at the 40th Avenue Bi-Mart parking lot and carpools from there, generally breaking into faster and not-so-fast groups. Bring lunch, lots of water and sturdy shoes. Next Tuesday: Granite Peak Lookout.
WEDNESDAY: Participants in the Mount Adams Cycling Club’s weekly 24-mile Naches Loop ride will take off at 6 p.m. from the Fred Meyer/Key Bank parking lot. For online info on the club and its ride schedule, go to www.mountadamscycling.
THURSDAY: The Cascadians’ Pokies group will do a hike up to the American River Ski Bowl and then follow the American Ridge Trail to the Bumping Lake Road. For meeting time and place and other information, call Jeanne Crawford at 509-966-8608.
SATURDAY: The Cascadians will host an easy hike — a good one for newcomers wanting to see what the club is about — on the Manastash Lake Trail to Lost Lake. The hike will be 4 miles round trip and 300 feet of elevation gain. The hike will take us through a forest of larch trees, evergreens, meadows of wild flowers and we will enjoy our lunch on the shore of Lost Lake. Bring lunch, water, and sturdy footwear. For meeting place and time call the trip leader Claudia 509-388-9307.
MONDAY: In the Mount Adams Cycling Club’s other weekly ride, members and guests head out at 5:45 p.m. from Yak Fitness (on Keys Road in Terrace Heights) for either a relatively flat 20- to 25-mile loop ride or a hillier Konnowac Pass 30-miler. Pace will be 14 to 16 mph. Guests must sign a liability waiver.
Bears lose heartbreaker in 11th
June 21, 2010 by Roger Underwood
YAKIMA, Wash. — The rest of the season — and 73 games remain — will no doubt serve as an anesthetic. But for the Bears, for now, the sting of Sunday night will linger beyond that of most losses.
Because the 7-6, 11-inning defeat they suffered to Boise was the type that will keep players sleepless even if an early wakeup call this morning signals a beginning to Yakima’s first road trip.
“I’ve been in baseball a long time,” manager Bob Didier said, “and games like that hurt. If you don’t feel something bad after losing like that, you don’t belong in the game.”
Beyond the chance to win the season-opening three-game series, the Bears wasted several positives before an announced Father’s Day gathering of 1,581 at Yakima County Stadium.
The Hawks, clobbered 7-0 on opening night before using five unearned runs to win 5-3 Saturday, scored in the top of the 11th without hitting a ball out of the infield.
Alvaro Ramirez started the frame by beating shortstop Zach Walters’ throw for an infield hit on a grounder up the middle. After Runey Davis sacrificed Ramirez to second, Keith Cantwell, the fourth Yakima pitcher, fanned Jose Guevara for the second out.
Wes Darvill, who tormented the Bears throughout the series from his No. 9 spot in the batting order, then punched a grounder toward to the right side. Second baseman Michael Noboa moved to his right and fielded the ball cleanly near the outfield grass, but threw too late to get Darvill.
The fleet-footed Ramirez, meanwhile, was sent home by Hawks third base coach and manager Jody Davis. Yakima first baseman Yazy Arbelo’s throw reached catcher Jhoan Pimentel in plenty of time, but skipped in the dirt and Ramirez scored.
“It looked like Noboa had trouble getting the ball out of his glove,” Didier said. “But we can still get the runner at home if we execute a throw from 90 feet.”
Noboa had entered the game in the ninth inning, shortly after Evan Button’s two-out, two-run, pinch-hit single had tied the score at 6 in the bottom of the eighth.
The comeback was the Bears’ second of the game.
Boise struck quickly against Enrique Burgos, Yakima’s second 19-year-old starter in as many nights, via Brandon May’s two-run, first-inning homer.
The Bears answered in their half of the inning with Walters’ RBI double and Jimmy Comerota’s two-out, two-run single highlighting a four-run rally.
Burgos, who struggled with his control, was lifted in the fifth after a single, his fourth walk and a hit batsman loaded the bases with one out.
Against Robert Andrews, a free agent signee making his professional debut, Jesus Morelli tied the score with a single to center and May made it 6-4, Hawks, with a two-run double to the wall in left-center.
“I hated like heck to have a kid throw his first professional pitch with the bases loaded,” Didier said, “but we’d sort of gotten backed into a corner with our bullpen. Our 19-year-olds both threw a lot of pitches.”
Andrews steadied, holding Boise scoreless through the seventh, after which Kable Hogben worked three shutout innings. The evening prior, two Bears relievers produced 51/3 scoreless frames.
Yakima, meanwhile, got a runner to third with no outs in the fourth but didn’t score, then came up empty after having runners at second and third with one out in the fifth.
The Bears open a five-game series tonight at Everett before returning Friday for the first of five against Vancouver.
6/21/10 Yakima Bears update
June 21, 2010 by Roger Underwood
Next game
Opponent: Everett AquaSox.
When, where: 7:05 p.m. today, Everett Memorial Stadium, Everett.
Radio: KUTI (1460).
Website: www.yakimabears.com.
Probable pitchers: Yakima RHP Brad Wilson vs. Everett RHP Chris Sorce.
Notes
DAD’S DAY: Alan Button, father of Bears infielder Evan Button, has been in Yakima all week to watch the start of his son’s Northwest League season.
Evan Button said he spent most of his offseason working with his Dad in their St. Louis body shop, and also helped remodel their their house.
“Everything from doing the wood floors to painting,” Evan Button said. Then, removing his cap to reveal a closely-cropped scalp, he said, “He’s just like me, except with hair.”
HAVE A CATCH: Fathers and kids were allowed take part in a time-honored tradition in left field before Sunday’s game — they played catch.
Included in the sizable group were Bears public address announcer Todd Lyons and his 5-year-old son Drew.
Players also signed autographs for numerous wide-eyed youngsters.
“I play catcher too,” Alex Herrnberger said to a young boy before exchanging high-fives. “Good job!”
RAIN, RAIN GIVE US A BREAK: Bears groundskeeper Ronnie Ross and his sttaff were forced to deal with pregame showers for the second straight day.
“I’ve been here 21 years,” Ross said, “and I can never remember this much rain in late June.”
The unseasonable weather caused no real trouble, save for preventing the teams from taking batting practice and requiring the dispensation of some Diamond Dust to scattered portions of the infield.
Click here for Sunday’s Box Score
Click here for Northwest League standings
Local Report: Pak, Beetles fall
June 21, 2010 by YH-R Sports
YAKIMA, Wash. — The Seattle RIPs pushed across a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to knock off the Yakima Valley Pepsi Pak 6-5 on the final day of the Bob Garretson Sr. Memorial Tournament on Sunday at Parker Field.
The host Yakima Pepsi Beetles fell to the Seattle Braves 16-5 in six innings earlier in the day.
A five-run fifth inning, keyed by Thomas Wilcox’s three-run double, allowed the Pak (11-7) to rally back from a 5-0 deficit and eventually push the game into extra innings.
Kyle Fickes was 3-for-4 with a run scored, while J.R. Weigel was 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI for Yakima Valley.
The Beetles (12-12) were led by Jens Jensen, who was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.
Chaffey defeated the RIPs 5-1 in the championship.
Seattle Braves 16, Yakima 5
Seattle Braves 301 309 — 16 17 0
Yakima 400 100 — 5 9 3
Hauger, Torrence (4) and Williams; Clements, Hartwig (4), Klingele (6) and Lombardi.
Yakima highlight: Jens Jensen 2-4, 2 RBI, run.
Seattle RIPs 6, Yakima Valley 5 (8)
Yakima Valley 000 050 00 — 5 9 3
Seattle RIPs 004 100 01 — 6 7 0
Douglass, Weigel (4), Hinton (7) and Smith; Cray, Eldridge (5) and Gober, Gately (5).
Yakima Valley highlights: Kyle Fickes 3-4, run; JR Weigel 2-3, run, RBI; Cory Urquhart 1-3, RBI, run; Thomas Wilcox 3-run 2b in 5th to tie it 2 outs. DJ Smith 2b.
Youth Baseball
West Valley Baseball Club 7, Bellevue 4 (WVBC: Trevor Hunter 2-3, 3 runs; Cody McDonald 1-2, 2 RBI; Corey Onustock CG, 4 K’s.)
Junior Beetles 8, Cadet Baseball Club 2 (JB: Trent Dupre 2-5; Lavonte Allen 3-5, 2 RBI; John Piper 2-3, 2 runs; Avery Mottet CG, 5 K’s.)
Mead 1, Yakima Valley Peppers 0 (YV: Allen Noble and Hugo Lemus 1 ER, 7 K’s
Youth Softball
At Hillsboro, Ore.
Oregon Slammers 8, Yakima Stealers 18-U 0 (Y: Danielle Porter 1-2, Kodi Jones 1-2).
White Rock Renegades 8, Yakima Stealers 18-U 0 (WR: No hitter).
At Mount Vernon
Yakima Stealers 16-U 6, Abbotsford Outlaws 6 (Y: Gracie Hernandez 2-3; Ashley Van Tress 2-3; Alexa Kruger 2-3).
Yakima Stealers 16-U 10 Whidbey Island Deception 2 (Y: Hernandez 3-3, 3 RBI; Laura Potts 2-3, 3 RBI).
Yakima Stealers 16-U 11, Whatcom Warriors 0 (Y: Catherine Boatright 2-2, 3 runs; Emilee Rainey 2-3; Katelin Heide 2-2, 4 RBI; Potts four-innng no-hitter).
Diamond Blues 8, Yakima Stealers 7 (8) (Y: Hernandez 2-4, Kruger 3-3).
At Richland
Selah 10, Omak Mustangs 0 (S: Ashley Wilkey 1-2, 2 runs; Mary Graf 1-2, 2 RBI; Morgan McCallister 1-2, run, 3b; Kylee Fullerton 1-1, run; Kylee Morse 2-2, run, RBI; Brittany Adkison 1-2, 2b, run, RBI).
Clarkston Jinx 5, Selah 2 (S: Graf 1-3, 2 RBI, run; McCallister 1-3; Taylor Rath 1-2; Sierra Weedin 1-2; Adkison 1-2, 2b, run).
Selah 10, Ki-Be Bears 1 (S: Carly Minnick no hitter, Graf 2-3, run; McCallister 2-3, 2 runs; Sarah Bersing 1-3, run, RBI; Bailey Turner 2-3, 2 runs, RBI, 2b; Fullerton 2-2, run, RBI; Morse 1-3, 3b, 3 RBI; Weedin 1-2).
Tennis
YCTA SUMMER KICK-OFF
June 18-20
Men’s Open singles: David Whiteside d. John Olsen 6-2, 6-1; Jim Stewart d. John Olsen 6-3, 6-0; Jim Stewart d. David Whiteside 6-2, 6-3.
Men’s 3.5 singles: Khalid Benedicto d. Danny Mullins 6-4, 6-4; Dave Barnett d. Danny Mullins 6-2, 6-2; Khalid Benedicto d. Don Wilson 6-2, 6-1; Dave Barnett d. Don Wilson 6-0, 6-1; Danny Mullins d. Don Wilson 6-0, 6-0; Khalid Benedicto d. Dave Barnett 0-6, 6-4, 6-4.
Women’s 3.5 singles: Dawn DeGrasse d. Margaret Haines 6-3, 6-0; Taylor Bobovsky-Margaret Haines 6-2, 3-6, 10-7; Dawn DeGrasse d. Catherine Maier 6-2, 6-4; Dawn DeGrasse d. Taylor Bobovsky 7-6, 7-5; Catherine Maier d. Margaret Haines 7-5, 1-6, 10-6; Taylor Bobovsky d. Catherine Maier 6-4, 6-2.
Boys 18 singles final: John Olsen d. Austin Wilson 6-4, 4-6, 10-8.
Junior girls singles: Megan Schrenk d. Jesica Busey 6-0, 6-0; Kaiti Dell d. Dannielle Morton 6-1, 6-2; Kaiti Dell d. Jesica Busey 6-2, 6-1; Megan Schrenk d. Danniell Morton 6-2, 6-3; Dannielle Morton d. Jesica Busey 6-7, 6-4, 13-11.
Boys 14 singles: Brendan Stewart d. Ethan Kim 6-4, 6-3; Joseph Shieh d. Ethan Kim 6-2, 6-3; Joseph Shieh d. Brendan Stewart 7-6, 6-4; Kyle Rasmussen d. Ethan Kim 7-6, 6-2; Kyle Rasmussen d. Brendan Stewart 6-1, 3-6, 7-6; Kyle Rasmussen d. Joseph Shieh 6-3, 6-4.
Boys 12 singles: Will Yallup d. Charskie Kinloch 7-5, 6-3; Corban Kinloch d. Will Yallup 6-3, 1-6, 6-4; Corban Kinloch d. Colby Kitt 6-3, 6-2; Corban Kinloch d. Charskie Kinloch 6-0, 6-3; Will Yallup d. Colby Kitt 4-6, 6-0, 6-1; Charskie Kinloch d. Colby Kitt 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
Girls 12 singles: Nicole Rasmussen d. Erica Simison 6-4, 7-5; Nicole Rasmussen d. Roslyn Cole 6-3, 7-6; Roslyn Cole d. Erica Simison 6-7, 7-5, 10-8; Nicole Rasmussen d. Alexis Maison 7-5, 6-4; Roslyn Cole d. Alexis Maison 6-2, 6-4; Alexis Maison d. Erica Simison 6-4, 7-5.
Men’s 3.5 doubles final: Chris Clark-Bob Cox d. Paul Maison-Rhonda Rasmussen 6-1, 6-2.
High school doubles final: Carly Schmidt-Sherman Becca d. Catherine Maier-Jacob Tri 6-2, 4-6, 6-1.
Junior doubles: Colby Kitt-Will Yallup d. Roslyn Cole-Alexis Maison 5-7, 6-1, 6-0; Roslyn Cole-Alexis Maison d. Corban Kinloch-Charskie Kinloch 2-6, 6-4, 11-9; Colby Kitt-Yallup Will d. Corban Kinloch-Charskie Kinloch 6-4, 7-6.
Coed doubles: Robert Bjur-Andrea Padilla d. Dan Kranz-Jody Snyder 4-6, 6-3, 6-4; Dawn DeGrasse-Rhonda Rasmussen d. Dan Kranz-Jody Snyder 7-6, 4-6, 10-4; Megan Schrenk-Jordan Shaffer d. Dan Kranz-Jody Snyder 6-7, 6-3, 7-6; Megan Schrenk-Jordan Shaffer d. Robert Bjur-Andrea Padilla 6-3, 6-4; Megan Schrenk-Jordan Shaffer d. Dawn DeGrasse-Rhonda Rasmussen 6-2, 7-6; Dawn DeGrasse-Rhonda Rasmussen d. Robert Bjur-Andrea Padilla 7-6, 6-3.
