Wild turkey group to meet Tuesday

YAKIMA, Wash. — The time and site have been set for the Tuesday organizational meeting of what National Wild Turkey Federation organizers hope will be a new Yakima Valley chapter.
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Selah Civic Center, 216 S. First St. in Selah.
A number of federation representatives will be present, including NWTF regional director Barnabas Koka and Washington state chapter president Kurt Beckley.
For more information, call Ross Huffman at 509-961-8093.
– Scott Sandsberry

Bears take first game of showdown

YAKIMA, Wash. — As statements go, this was a big one.

And it was delivered spring-loaded.

Bursting out of the gate with a four-run first inning, the Yakima Bears then survived a bullpen adventure that was both wild and dominant en route to a 6-4 victory over East rival Spokane on Wed-nesday night at Yakima County Stadium.

Yak-ima’s victory, its 10th in the last 11 home games, extended the Bears’ second-half lead over the Indians to four games with two more games in the crucial series coming today and Friday.

“We were way up for this because it’s a big series and we’ve been playing great baseball,” said first baseman Yazy Arbelo, who went 3-for-4. “They were the first-half champions and we wanted to show we’re a force and we want the second-half title. Keeping our momentum was huge tonight.”

After losing five of their first six games to Spokane (14-13), the charging Bears (18-9) have now won four in a row over the Indians. With 11 games left in the regular season, Yakima has caught Spokane in overall record at 36-29.

The Bears pounced all over Spokane starter Juan Grullon, a Dominican southpaw who struggled first with his pick-off moves and then with his pitching.

After hitting Roberto Ortiz, Grullon quickly gave away two more bases with errant throws to first and then second, and hot-hitting Zach Walters made him pay with an RBI single straight up the middle.

Grullon nearly slipped out of trouble when Walters was later thrown out at the plate for the second out, but Raoul Torrez produced a clutch two-run single and Jhoan Pimentel followed with a run-scoring double.

“We got a good jump but you have to be careful with something like that,” said Arbelo, who contributed an RBI single to the cause in the breakout first inning. “Four runs is nothing against a team like Spokane. They are a real tough club.”

Torrez drove in another run in the third inning, giving him seven RBI in two days, and the Bears were on cruise control with starter Teo Gutierrez looking sharp. In his second start since getting called up from Missoula, the right-hander worked four scoreless innings while scattering three singles and left with Yakima up 5-0.

But like Arbelo warned, don’t get too confident with a big lead against these Indians.

Yakima went deep into its bullpen, and Spokane drew five walks in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings to climb back in the game. Scoring twice in the fifth and seventh, the Indians pulled within 5-4 before the bullpen fixed itself.

Kable Hogben, Yakima’s fifth hurler, retired the side in the eighth and Jake Hale did the same in the ninth inning to lock down his third save. The Bears’ staff jeopardized the big win with free passes, but it also set down Spokane final seven batters to finish the night.

Yakima added some breathing room in the bottom of the eighth when Arbelo singled and Michael Weber, pinch-running for Arbelo, later scored on Raywilly Gomez’s sacrifice fly. That play, in a bizarre twist, got manager Bob Didier tossed from the game while the umpires overturned themselves twice, first ruling that Weber left early as Spokane’s leftfielder appeared the juggle the fly ball and then later allowing the run.

In the end, Yakima put up 10 hits, eight of which came against two lefties. Arbelo’s three hits were big considering his .214 average against Spokane in nine previous games.

“I don’t want to say they dominated me, but they definitely had my number,” he said. “I just stayed within myself and didn’t try to hit home runs every time up. I knew if we’re going to keep this going (against Spokane), I had to get hits and get on base. We all have that attitude, and so we got this series started right.”

8/26/10 Yakima Bears update

Next game

Opponent: Spokane Indians.

When, where: 7:05 p.m. today, Yakima County Stadium.

Radio: KUTI (1460).

Website: www.yakimabears.com

Probable starting pitchers: Yakima RHP Andrew Berger (2-4, 5.44) vs. Spokane RHP Tim Stanford (4-0, 1.88).

Notes

ADDING TO THE FRONT OFFICE: Yakima Bears General Manager K.L. Wombacher was called away on real business Wednesday while his wife, Lauren, gave birth to their first child. K.L. and Lauren welcomed Madison Nicole at 5:07 p.m. When news arrived at the stadium before Wednesday’s game, Bears’ President Mike McMurray instantly appointed Madison the team’s director of youth services.

ON THE MEND: Two regulars continue to heal up from recent injuries. Outfielder Justin Hilt (59 games, .240, 23 RBI, 14 SB) missed Wednesday’s series opener with Spokane because of a sore knee suffered on Tuesday. Second baseman and leadoff hitter Mike Freeman (42 games, .333, 16 SB) missed his third straight start with a shoulder injury. He was, however, available to pinch hit on Wednesday.

AROUND THE BASES: Yakima’s season-high 15 hits Tuesday night against Salem-Keizer lifted the Bears’ home batting average to .295, best in the Northwest League. Yakima needs some work on the road, where it hits .225. … S-K reliever Devan Kline made two brief appearances totaling 11/3 innings during the five-game series in Yakima that concluded Tuesday, but it must have felt like an eternity.  Against 14 batters, Kline yielded eight hits, eight earned runs, two walks and two wild pitches. … The Bears finished their season series against S-K winning eight of 10 games and outscoring the Volcanoes 60-37.

Box Score

Click here for box score

NWL Standings

Click here for standings

Rec Notes: Strikers win SeaTac Cup

YAKIMA, Wash. — The Yakima Sun City Strikers ’99 McCurdy won the U-11 boys Silver Division of the 2010 HPFC SeaTac Cup soccer tournament Aug. 20-22 at Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila.

The team won all five of its games by a combined score of 27-4, including a 5-0 shutout of Blackhills FC from Olympia in the championship game.

Strikers forward Lorenzo Lopez was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, and goalie-midfielder Shawn Dawley-Abeyta was named Most Improved Player.

Other players are Alfonso Cuevas, Mateo Fernandez, Dylan Greene, Jonas Hildebrand, Lincoln Holland-Boone, Dawson Kallevig, Anthony Lopez, Marques Morales, Jordan Munguia, Lucas Oncinas, and Shae Sandlin. The coach is James McCurdy.

8/26/10 Yakima Valley Scorecard

Apple Tree
MEN’S DIVISION
2-Man 6/6/6, Aug. 22
First Flight — Gross: 1, Pete Pitzer-Mike Schlosser 68; 2, Rick Lind-Van Johnson 70. Net: 1, Doug Hay-Dennis Kihn 58; 2, (tie) Alex Podruzny-John Borton 591/2, Jim Cline-Don Snipes 591/2.
Second Flight — Gross: 1, Robert Dresker-Rob Dresker 73; 2, Lance Barber-Alan Walania 75. Net: 1, Kevin Leiseth-Jared Doll 591/2; 2, Al Landis-Tim O’Connor 601/2.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Club Championship, Aug. 18-19
Low Gross: 1, Betty Gilmore 172; 2, Judy Rozelle 187; 3, Debbie Holbrook 190; 4, Lynda Matthews 193; 5, (tie) Carolyn Henyan 211, Linda Lenseigne 211; 7, Bev Morgan 223; 8, Connie Wilson 229; 9, Carol Hammermeister 231. Low Net: 1, Claudette Haubner 144.

Fisher Park
MEN’S DIVISION
9-Hole Scramble, Aug. 22
1, Mike Beaudry-Ron Beaudry 28; 2, Joel Cooper-Gene Hipner 28; 3, Tyler Cannady-Bennett Osborne 29.

Mount Adams
MEN’S DIVISION
Best Ball, Aug. 19
Gross: 1, Mike VanWingerden-Dan Lasso 66; 2, Troy Wilmoth-Russ Arbuckle 71; 3, Russ Arbuckle-Mike Chambers 72. Net: 1, John Douglas-Dick Conrad 62; 2, (tie) Keith Fowler-Gary Hyatt 63, Steve Knopp-Bob Bergeron 63, Peter Barstad-Earl Greene 63; 5, (tie) Ron Smith-Jim Whitaker 64, Jim Fulcher-Gary Hyatt 64.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Bestball scramble, Aug. 25
1, Connie Rogers-Betty Carl-Elsie Pearson-Gloria Hintze 55; 2, Sharon Hedden-Ursula Pond-Carlisle Ibatuan-Ronnie Bradbury 56; 3, Maria Frank-Carrol Storkel-Sheila Whitaker 58.
COUPLES DIVISION
2010 Roundup, Aug. 20-21
Low Gross: Dusty Frontis-Nancy Eglin 136. Low Net: (tie) Kim Wangler-Connie Besel 126, Terri & Ray Gallipo 126.
First Flight — Gross: 1, Chris Scacco-Troy Wilmoth 145; 2, Pat Martin-Willie Edwards 149; 3, Debbie Holbrook-Don Wilson 153; 4, Kim Devino-Jay Turner 155; 5, (tie) Susi Deshaw-Gary Pero 162, Ron & Vicki Anderson 162. Net: 1, Mike & Tori Melton 130; 2, (tie) Doug & Frida Gray 133, Juan Guerrero-Candice Flores 133; 4, Mark & Cathy Blore 135; 5, (tie) Brad & Shirley Markland 136, Judy & Denny Stone 136.
Second Flight — Gross: 1, Tony Whitley-Shelley Alacala 166; 2, Herk & Barb Hannon 168; 3, Bob & Jessica Duda 172; 4, (tie) Norm & Linda Metzger 173, Lori & Ted Nulliner 173. Net: 1, Sue Atteberry-Will Curley 127; 2, Nick Hollis-Kathy Knudton 134; 3, Dale & Christy Fordyce 135; 4, (tie) Don & Grace Wagoner 136, Don & Harriet Clark 136, Linda Plummer-Dan Wilber 136, Jennifer Thompson-Ed Ricard 136.
Third Flight — Gross: 1, Rick & Tara Catlin 174; 2, Maxine & Bob Brandolini; 3, (tie) Doug & Gloria Hintze 183, Carlisle Ibatuan-Doyle Wilson 183, Jerry & Becky Besel 183, Rick & Marlen Mason 183. Net: 1, Carol Judy-Ron Hecox 129; 2, (tie) Steve & Elena Gonzales 131, James & Judy Harris 131; 4, Jim & Sherly Whitaker 132; 5, Ken & Liz Roberts 134.

SunTides
MEN’S DIVISION
Final Thursday League, Aug. 19
1, 429 Goldworthy 93; 2, Curly’s Bar and Grill 831/2; 3, Fore Players 82; 4, Northwest Autobody 75; 5, KWL Brokerage 711/2; 6, The Culls 71; 7, Country Rock Cafe 70; 8, Rocc’s 691/2; 9, Weapons of Grass Destruction 591/2; 10, RJ’s Tire and Auto 42.
Club Championship, Aug. 21-22
Low Gross: Ivan Porcayo. Low Net: Larry Nevers.
First Flight — Gross: 1, Ron McClain; 2, Perry McCormick. Net: 1, Heath Reeves; 2, Dan Williams.
Second Flight — Gross: 1, Larry Cramer; 2, Don Fisher. Net: 1, Omar Arambul; 2, (tie) Dale Critchlow, Dustin Cass.
Third Flight — Gross: 1, Jay Harmon; 2, Louis Songer. Net: 1, Jeff Davis; 2, Ron Whittaker.
Fourth Flight — Gross: 1, Lance Labarr; 2, David Barnes. Net: 1, Phil Moyer; 2, Rudy Gasparac.
Fifth Flight — Gross: 1, Harley Hudson; 2, Gary Gooler. Net: 1, Chuck Vernon; 2, Gerald Figgs.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Gross and Net, Aug. 24
A Division — Gross: 1, Karen Cooper 82; 2, Nancy Slinkard 86; 3, Lori Nulliner 87. Net: 1, (tie) Sue Morgenthaler 72, Lori Thomas 72; 3, Grace Wagoner 73. B Division — Gross: 1, Carol Judy 91; 2, Kristi Turner score not reported. Net: 1, Sherrie Stevenson 74; 2, Lynne Willard 81. C Division — Gross: 1, Helen Gallagher 99; 2, (tie) Kathy Thomas 107, Dianne Oeltjen 107. Net: 1, Carol Hammermeister 68; 2, Donna Erhart 72; 3, Harriet Clark 74.
Buckskin qualifier: Lori Thomas 72.

Westwood West
MEN’S DIVISION
Wednesday Night, Aug. 18
Valley Lab 143, Tim Troy Construction 136, Kyani 134, Shuels Lumber 126, Footwedges 126, 3 HC 119, Foreplay 118, Albatross 97, Helliesen Lumber 81.
Thursday Night, Aug. 18
No name 170, Advance 141, Semo 134, T&M 126, AB Transmission 126, Auto Care 113, Green Attack 113, Westwood 112, Four Hookers 63.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
3 clubs & a putter, Aug. 18
A Division: 1, Bernice Snyder 45; 2, (tie) Trudy Ledwich 47, Adrienne Quinnell 47.
B Division: 1, Pam Kingsboro 46; 2, Dorothy Cooke 49.
C Division: 1, Gaye Pryse 53; 2, Paula Redd 59.
COUPLES DIVISION
Scotchball, Aug. 19
Gross: 1, Jim & Janie Richartz 43; 2, Don & Geneva Nelson 44; 3, Trudy Ledwich-Bernice Snyder 46, 4. Lee & Paula Bush 47. Net:  1, Gary & Susan Willoughby 34; 2, (tie) Dave Edgerton-Hilde Brule 36, Gary & Pam Kingsboro 36; 4, Don & Sylvia Brule 37; 5, Gail Sanders-Evelyn McGreer 39.

Yakima Country Club
MEN’S DIVISION
Club Championship, Aug.21-22
Club Champion: John Onstad Jr. Runner Up: Dr. Duane Monick. Semifinalists: Gabe Runge, Dave Connell.
Drop down — Winner: Brian Riel. Runner up: Dennis Sierts.
First Flight — Winner: Brian Davey. Runner up: Dr. Marv Swainson. Semifinalists: Jeff Loudon, James Naughton.
Drop down — Winner: Mark Needham. Runner up: Terry Cook.
Second Flight — Winner: Dr. Bruce Kinney. Runner up: Don Shute. Semifinalists: Larry Day, Alan Cottle.
Drop down — Winner: Dick Karstens. Runner up: Guy Loudon Jr.
WOMEN’S DIVISION
Match vs. Par, Aug. 24
Low Gross: Cindi Stewart 85. Low Net: Marie Smith 71.
1, Janet Drake +3; 2, (tie) Terry Schaake -1, Melissa Keeter -1.

Yakima Elks
MEN’S DIVISION
Club Championship, Aug. 21-22
Low Gross: Ron Gunner 150. Low Net: Bill Halsey 132.
Championship Flight — Gross: Jeff Stevens 152, Mark Cuneo 153, Dave Uhlman 154. Net: Tim Speer 140, Lee Scrimgeour 141, Al Rouse 142.
First Flight — Gross: Jim Rowland 158, Dan Keefe 161, Warren Fordyce 162. Net: Jim Page 139, David Fast 142, Greg Lenhart 145.
Second Flight — Gross: Joe Folk 166, Steve Jacobsen 168, Jim Breymeyer 169. Net: Bill Poulin 141, Jack Lovell 147, Mike Wilson 147.
Third Flight — Gross: Ron Capps 163, Gerry Wilwant 167, Lonnie Wiseman 171. Net: Lowell Leonard 136, Jeff Hocker 140, Jack Myers 151, Tom Lovell 151.
Fourth Flight — Gross: Dan Murphy 173, Bob Dahlin 177, Bill Krapf 178. Net: Allan Gohl 138, Gene Newland 139, Jack Jensen 144, Rod Wilkins 144.
Aug. 25
Four-man, one net
Jack Lovell-Tom Lovell-Ted Stone-Jack Carey 120.
Two-man bestball
Gross: Mark Mochel-John Mills 69, Jim Blevins-Mochel 70, (tie) Mark Cuneo-Lee Scrimgeour 71, Ron Capps-Don Capps 71, Joe Folk-Mochel 72. Net: Ted Stone-Darwin Nelson 58, (tie) Jack Lovell-Ted Stone 59, Jack Carey-Stone 59, Jim Russi-Dick Dreher 59, Tom Lovell-Stone 60.
Even holes
First Flight—Gross: Darwin Nelson 37. Net: John Mills 34. Second Flight—Gross: Ron Capps 40. Net: Lee White 35. Third Flight—Gross: Bob Weiss 43. Net: Ted Stone 331/2.

8/26/10 VSW Bulletin Board

TENNIS: The first session of the Yakima Tennis Club’s four-week fall Junior program begins Monday, with classes available for beginner to advanced players ages 4 to 18. Adult back-to-basics beginner classes begin Tuesday, Sept. 7. For information, call Jacob Whiteside at 509-248-2938, or stop by the YTC indoor facility at 2505 Fruitvale Blvd.

8/26/10 Valley Sports Weekly results

Barrel racing

Yakima County Barrel Racers
AT FEATHERLAND RANCH
July 22
Division 1: Sierra Bryan 16.686, Traci Patterson 16.711, Madison Wagner 16.723.
Division 2: Patty Wytko 17.692, Trisha Ausbun 17.709, Tanya Lucas 17.878.
Division 3: Denise Arnold 19.031, Cassie Frank 19.076, Summer Welch 19.158.
Division 4: Roberta Hibbard 19.856, Mikaya Ausban 20.007, Kara Toye 20.055.
Division 5: Shannon Watson 20.774, Celia Layton 21.033, Adrianna Hoekman 21.129.
Leadline Barrels: Rainey Arnold 33.177, Spence Lawrence 52.954, Blaire Nunley 56.198, Morgan Nunley 73.084.

Softball

Yakima Parks and Recreation
MEN’S SUMMER LEAGUE
Standings, Aug. 23
A Division: DT’s Peppers/Tequila’s 6-0, Bob’s Burger & Brew 4-4, Hitmen 3-5, Shields Bombers 2-4, G-Hawks 2-6, Hoops Bar/Beer Nutz 0-8.
B Division: Country Financial 7-1, Bad Boys 6-2, King Mountain Outlaws 6-4, Michael’s Mudsharks 4-4, Washed Up 1-7, Men of Faith 0-8.
C Division: Water’s Edge Pain Killers 6-2, The Bunt Monkey’s 5-3, Meds 5-3, Tieton Bears 4-4, East Valley Fire 3-5, Jagz Barber Shop 1-7.
D Division: VH Legal/CBB Law 6-2, Little Dutch Inn 6-2, Moss Adams LLP 4-4, Spike’s 4-4, Fire Rescue 3-5, Victorious Secret 1-7.
E Division: The Bench Warmers 7-1, Ron’s Coin & Collectibles 5-3, Hooligans 4-4, Desperado’s 4-4, Sons of Pitches 2-6, Retrofits 2-6.
F Division: The Styx 7-3, The Swamp Donkey’s 4-2, All Seasons 4-4, HD Fowler 3-5, Owens Cycle 2-6.
G Division: Akland Pump 5-1, Chinook Heating 6-2, The AK’s 6-2, Sky Hawks 1-5, FSJC 0-8.
WOMEN’S SUMMER LEAGUE
Standings, Aug. 23
Platinum: Planned Parenthood 6-2, Rezalicious 3-3, Yakima Merchants 3-7, T&T Lounge/Mickey’s Misfits 2-6, Flaming C’s 0-8.
Gold: Over & Under 7-1, Boise Cascade 6-2, Pixie’s 4-4, Dirty Diva’s 3-5, Little Dutch Inn 3-5, Farwest 1-7.

Bears provide plenty of good stuff in another win

Starter Wilson allows two hits in 8 innings as Yakima tops S-K ||

YAKIMA, Wash. — Liz Torrez had to hurry, her son said, to get to Yakima County Stadium in time for Tuesday night’s game.

And even if she’d missed the first few innings, Raoul Torrez’s mom was there well in advance of the good stuff — and there was plenty from the Bears in an 8-3 triumph over Salem-Keizer.

The victory, Yakima’s sixth in seven games, improved its second-half East Division lead over Spokane to three games with 12 to play — three of which will include the Indians in a series here starting tonight.

An announced 1,383, counting Mrs. Torrez, saw Brad Wilson take a two-hitter into the eighth inning in perhaps the Bears’ best starting performance of the year.

They saw Zach Walters, already among the Northwest League hitting leaders, stage a 4-for-5 night that included two doubles to raise his average to .329.

There was another run batted in from Yazy Arbelo, boosting his league-leading total to 52, a combined three hits from utility players Jimmy Comerota and Tom Belza and, last but clearly not least from Liz Torrez’s perspective, a three-run homer and four RBI from Yakima’s stellar third baseman who hails from Phoenix.

“The ball doesn’t carry well here at night,” Raoul Torrez said, “so even though I knew I hit it well, I ran as hard as I could until I was sure.”

Bears manager Bob Didier, on the other hand, had no doubt.

“That’s one of the two or three hardest hit balls I’ve seen this year,” he said of Torrez’s two-out, fifth-inning bomb, which staked Wilson to a 6-1 lead. “He destroyed that pitch.”

Arbelo, Torrez, Comerota and Henry Zabala had two hits apiece as Yakima (17-9 second half, 35-29 overall) tied its season high of 15 safeties.

Not that Wilson needed all of them.

After yielding a first-pitch single to Chris Lofton, the right-hander allowed just one more base hit until taking the mound for the eighth having thrown only 75 pitches.

Wilson (2-3) then got a first-pitch groundout before a single, walk and his own throwing error on a slow roller toward first scored a run and ended his 91-pitch evening.

Eury De La Rosa got the final two outs of the inning, one of which plated the final run for S-K (8-18, 25-39), then struck out the side in the ninth for his seventh save.

“My changeup was really working for me tonight,” said Wilson, who faced no more than four hitters in an inning through seven. “This year I’ve straightened out a few things with some help from Coach Drabek (Bears pitching coach Doug) and the coaches I pitched for at South Bend. They’ve helped, and it’s always fun to pitch in important games.”

Yakima started with single runs in the third and fourth innings.

Zabala’s two-out base hit in the third scored Zach Walters, who had doubled, and Torrez’s fourth-frame groundout plated Raywilly Gomez whose fly to left was lost in the early evening sky and fell for a double.

Against S-K’s Devan Kline in the fifth, Walters, Arbelo and Zabala produced rapid-fire singles to load the bases, after which Gomez scored Walters with a sacrifice fly.

Then after Belza took a called third strike, Torrez hammered a drive well beyond the left-field wall for a 6-1 Bears lead.

The Volcanoes’ lone run had come in the top of the inning on a Zach Walters error, sacrifice bunt, wild pitch and groundout.

In the Bears’ half of the eighth, Walters led off with his second double and Arbelo followed with an opposite-field two-bagger over the left-fielder’s head. He then came home on a throwing error.

With Comerota and Belza pressed into duty because of injuries to Mike Freeman and Justin Hilt, Didier had to put De La Rosa No. 7 in the batting order while juggling his lineup, and the 5-foot-9, 150-pound left-hander nearly beat out a slow bouncer to short to end Yakima’s eighth.

“I didn’t want to do that,” Didier said, “but we ended up a little short on players and I didn’t want to take him out of the game and use another pitcher.”

8/25/10 Yakima Bears update

Next game

Opponent: Spokane Indians.

When, where: 7:05 p.m. today, Yakima County Stadium.

Radio: KUTI (1460).

Website: www.yakimabears.com

Probable pitchers: Yakima RHP Teo Gutierrez (0-0, 2.25) vs. Spokane LHP Juan Grullon (0-2, 3.38).

Notes

WHERE THE HEART IS?: Yakima’s exploits at home this season have been well documented, but two other Northwest League teams have posted records that have surpassed even the Bears’ 22-9 mark in their own yards.

Everett began play Tuesday 24-7 at Memorial Stadium, and that’s counting a Monday doubleheader sweep by Tri-City. Spokane, meanwhile, was 25-9 at Avista Stadium.

No NWL team had a winning road record. Everett sported the best at 16-16.

FREEMAN SLOWED BY SHOULDER: Bears standout second baseman Mike Freeman has been bothered by a tight right shoulder, manager Bob Didier said Tuesday, and will be given a day or two off. Didier said Freeman, who was replaced by Jimmy Comerota in Tuesday’s lineup against Salem-Keizer, would still be available to pinch hit or pinch run.

Outfielder Justin Hilt, meanwhile, left Tuesday night’s game after the second inning. He had reached base on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the frame, but limped into second on Raoul Torrez’s following single.

Tom Belza replaced Hilt in right field in the top of the third.

FROM BEHIND THE MIKE: Drew Bontadelli, who’s completing his second season as the Bears’ radio voice on KUTI, was asked his thoughts regarding who among this Yakima team has improved the most.

He mentioned first baseman Yazy Arbelo.

“He was around the Mendoza line early in the season, and how he’s become a beast. Teams have become so terrified of him that it seems he’s drawing four-pitch walks on every other at bat, especially with a base open.”

Bontadelli also cited starting pitcher Miguel Pena, infielder Michael Weber and, as most who have watched it have, marveled at Yakima’s bullpen.

“They started the season lights out,” Bontadelli said, “and it seems like they’ve even gotten better.”

Local report — Wyckoff steps down at WV

YAKIMA, Wash. — After 16 consecutive years in the West Valley baseball program, the last nine of which were as head coach, Klayton Wyckoff is making a “bittersweet” move away from the sport.

Wyckoff, previously a teacher in the district, is moving into administration, accepting the position of athletic director and student activities coordinator at West Valley Junior High. The time commitments of that job led him to resign as the Rams’ head baseball coach.

“This is an opportunity that I always wanted to pursue, and the timing feels right in my career,” Wyckoff said. “But at the same time it’s bittersweet to walk away from something I absolutely love.”

Wyckoff compiled a 155-64 record in his nine seasons, with two state trophies — second in 2003 and third in ’09 — and was the Class 3A coach of the year in ’03.

“We’ve have had such massive support out here from parents, the community, staff and administrators — that made my experience very positive,” added Wyckoff, a 1987 West Valley graduate. “It was a great situation to be in as a head coach and I would have liked to continue on, but this move is better for me in the long run.”

Kevin VanDeBrake would be a strong candidate to replace Wyckoff. Not only was he an assistant throughout Wyckoff’s nine seasons but he preceded him as head coach.

Siebol leaves RC for Highland

Bruce Siebol, who directed Riverside Christian’s boys basketball program to 170 wins in 10 seasons, has left the Crusaders’ program to take the head boys job at Highland.

In those 10 seasons at RC, Siebol posted a 170-69 record and led the Crusaders to three Class 2B state trophies.

“I had 10 great years at Riverside with great kids and wonderful parents,” he said. “I accomplished what I set out to, building up the program, and I guess now I was ready for a new challenge.”

Siebol will replace Josh Borland, who resigned after six seasons.

“I’m excited to coach in the SCAC,” he added. “The Riverside program is in good shape (all starters return), so this was a good time to pursue another challenge.”

COLLEGES

CWU ranked 5th by D2 website

Central Washington has been ranked fifth by D2Football.com in a preseason poll released Tuesday.

The Wildcats, who were 12-1 last season and lost 21-20 to eventual national champion Northwest Missouri in a playoff quarterfinal, followed, in order, Northwest Missouri, Grand Valley State, North Alabama and Abilene Christian.

Minnesota Duluth, Central’s season-opening opponent at home on Saturday, is ranked sixth.

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