Colleges: Tacoma’s Walker signs at CWU

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Nate Walker, a 6-foot-5 forward, has joined a lengthy list of Tacoma Community College basketball standouts to sign with Central Washington.

Walker averaged 15 points and more than eight rebounds a game last season for the Titans, who won the NWAACC championship. In the title game against Chemeketa, a 110-98 Tacoma victory, Walker totaled 23 points and 13 rebounds — one of his 10 double doubles posted by the Foss High School graduate.

“Nate is very a versatile and competitive winner who has the ability to defend and rebound effectively for us while playing multiple positions,” CWU coach Greg Sparling said in a university release. “He is also extremely efficient offensively, having shot 60 percent from the field last season.”

At Tacoma, Walker played for former Central player and assistant coach Carl Howell. Six other former Tacoma CC players are currently on CWU’s roster.

FASTPITCH

Yaks split pair with Big Bend

MOSES LAKE, Wash. — Karyssa Marbet threw a one-hitter and helped herself out by going 3 for 4 with two runs and four RBI in leading Yakima Valley to an 18-0 rout of Big Bend in the second game of an East Region softball doubleheader Friday.

Yakima Valley lost the opener 4-0 to move to 5-20 in region play and 14-22-1 overall.

Also in the second game, Tori Slobig was 4 for 5 with two runs and three RBI, Arlene Futch, Jessie Ihly and Krysta Beach had three hits each, with Ihly belting a three-run homer and driving in four. In all, eight Yaks scored at least two runs.

Game 1

Yakima Valley 000 000 0 — 0 6 1
Big Bend 000 400 x — 4 8 1

McKinley and Reeves; McCashland and Ouellette.

YVCC highlights: Ashley Reeves 2-3; Courtney Cable 2-3, 2b; Whitney Biehl 1-3; Jenna Bice 1-3.

Game 2

Yakima Valley 070 0(11) — 18 21 2
Big Bend 000 00 — 0 1 2

Marbet and Reeves; Salverda, Downing (2) and Ouellette.

YVCC highlights: Cable 2-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Arlene Futch 3-5, 3 runs, 2 RBI; Jessie Ihly 3-4, 3-run HR, 2 runs, 4 RBI; Tori Slobig 4-5, 2 2b, 2 runs, 3 RBI; Krysta Beach 3-4, 2 runs; Reeves 1-2, 2 runs, RBI; Biehl 2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI; Karyssa Marbet 3-4, 2b, 2 runs, 4 RBI.

BASEBALL

CWU stung twice by Yellowjackets

ELLENSBURG, Wash. — Central Washington homered in each game against Montana State Billings on Friday, but the Wildcats nonetheless dropped a GNAC doubleheader to the Yellowjackets, 6-2 and 7-5 at CWU.

David Leid produced the only runs for CWU (8-18 GNAC, 16-28 overall) in the opener with a two-run shot in the second inning. Kyle Sani belted a three-run blast in the first inning of the second game, but MSU Billings (12-14, 21-19) outscored the Wildcats 7-2 from there.

The teams meet again today for a noon doubleheader. It will be senior day for Central.

Game 1

MSU Billings 020 040 000 — 6 13 1
Central Wash. 020 000 000 — 2 7 0

Paterson, Ragasa (7) and Nelson; Button, Bushman (3), Davidson (5) and Sani.

CWU highlights: Brandon Wang 2-4, David Leid 3-4, 2b, HR, 2 RBI; Jimmy Ryerson 2b.

Game 2

MSU Billings 010 102 003 — 7 12 1
Central Wash. 301 000 001 — 5 10 4

Hutchings, Ragasa (7) and Pyrah; Lotzer, Knutson (7) and Sani.

CWU highlights: Derrick Webb 3-3; Kyle Sani 1-3, HR, 3 RBI; Glen Reser 2-4, 2b.