Royal wins league for the sixth time
The Knights defeated the Cougars by a 70 point margin in their golf match Thursday to give Royal the league title for the sixth time in as many years. The Knights combined for a team score of 309 to Warden's 379. Royal's Joe Perkins was the medalist on the day with a score of 72.
Brandon Hubbard, who put up an 84 for Royal, had a benchmark day as well. Hubbard switched from baseball to golf this year and was told that he would need a score in the mid-80s to qualify for districts. Thursday he not only scored the score he needed, he did it with an eagle on his card. "He has been a subtle team leader this year," said Coach Andrew Perkins.
Other scores for Royal included: James Dykes who shot a 77, Patrick Dorsing had a 78, Brain Gilbert shot an 82 and DJ Solis had an 83.
Scores for Warden were: Guy Jensen with an 85, Kevin McPartland shot a 96, Robbie Horn and Ben Bisnett both had a 99, Chance Buck had a 108 and Kevin Whitaker had a 123.
The girls match was incomplete due to Warden only providing one player, Liz Rodriguez who shot a 70. The Lady Knights put up a team score of 227 and Erin Argo, who shot a 51, earned her first medal for the low score. Other Royal scores included: Sarah Perkins with a 52, Jenny Jannett had a 60, Janelle Cochran had a 64, Laura Perkins had a 65, Chantel Anderson had a 68 and Christina Juhl had a 75.
Royal's next match will be sub-districts at Sun Tides in Yakima, where the field of competition will be cut in half for the district tournament.
Ephrata girls fare well on the fairway
The Lady Tigers matched up against Grandview Thursday and won the battle on the green with a team score of 291 to Grandview's 390. Ephrata's Megan Steele was the medalist with a score of 80 on the day. Other scores for Ephrata included: Breann Duff with a 101 and Jessica McDonnell with a 110.
The Ephrata boys team struggled and came up short against Grandview. The final team scores were Ephrata 344 and Grandview 333. Nate Rogers had the low score for the Tigers with an 83. Other scores for Ephrata included: Austin Keys and Drew Graves with an 86, Justin Scheib with an 89, Matt Pixlee with a 92 and Dan Mickle with a 96.
Baseball
The Cougars are league champs
Warden played Goldendale Wednesday in a delayed game and came out ahead to win the league title.
In game one Warden defeated Goldendale 14-4 in six innings. Edward Rodriguez pitched for the Cougars, giving up just four hits, and hit 4 for 5 with two homeruns and five RBIs. Benny Vela hit 2 for 3 and Juve Salinas went 2 for 4 with a grand slam homerun, a double and five RBIs.
In game two Warden came back to win 5-4 in eight innings. Travis Matzen hit 2 for 4 and scored the game winning run on a sacrifice fly by Kenny Guerra in the bottom of the eighth. Aaron Pruneda and Juve Salinas both hit 2 for 3. Andrew Garza started off on the mound for Warden and was replaced after the third inning by Rick Castillo who earned the win. "He is a big, tall left-hander," said Coach Jerry Powell of Castillo.
Districts begin on Tuesday in Yakima, with Warden's opponent to be decided Tuesday.
Softball
Ephrata clobbers Cashmere
The Lady Tigers defeated Cashmere, 18-2, in a rescheduled game Thursday.
Ephrata's 18 runs came on 13 hits and five errors. Kelly Neil started out on the mound for the Lady Tigers and hit 1 for 2. Laura Tinnelle replaced Neil in the third to lead her team to victory. Holly Hubbard hit 4 for 5 on the day.
Ephrata's next game is at home on Saturday.
Soccer
Wahluke defeats Cascade in playoffs
The Warriors beat Cascade 1-0 Thursday in a playoff match-up. The lone goal came from Sigi Pulido in the 75th minute with an assist by Jose Mendez. Wahluke out shot Cascade 24-8.
The win puts Wahluke at 13-4 overall. They play Quincy on Saturday in for a district spot and to avenge a loss to the Jacks earlier this season.
Thursday was the ninth shut out of the season for keeper Fernando Munoz.
In yesterday's league voting several Wahluke players were announced as placers. Fernando Munoz, in a voting rarity for keepers, was named league MVP. Other honors of note include: Jose Rodriguez being named to first defensive team, Sigi Pulido being named to second team and Aldo Zamora and Ernesto Rodriguez earning honorable mentions.
Tennis
Royal splits with Columbia-Burbank
The Knights nearly got swept by Columbia-Burbank Thursday, losing four of five matches. Royal's one win came in the third boys doubles match when Hebdon/Garcia defeated McGreevy/Kirklie (6-3, 3-6, 6-3). "It was a good win for the boys third doubles team," said Coach Rich Gregoire.
In boys singles, Justin DeLay was defeated by Zach Schrimmser (6-2, 6-2) and the second match was won by Columbia-Burbank via forfeit.
In boys doubles, Dejeen/Shelton beat Dahlkey/Almeida (6-4, 6-2) and Rucker/Gordon defeated Bustillos/Meseberg (6-4, 7-6). "This match was the last time that Dahlkey/Almeida will play as a doubles team, both are playing singles at districts," said Gregoire.
In girls singles, Royal forfeited both matches to Columbia-Burbank but made up for it by sweeping the girls doubles matches.
In doubles, Jansen/Jansen defeated Neuenschwander/Bancini (6-1, 6-3), Herrera/Quintero beat Wilhelm/Hanzick (4-6, 6-2, 6-2) and Singer/Christensen won over Perez/Hall (7-5, 6-2).
Royal's next match is against Granger next Tuesday.
The Lady Warriors sweep the Lady Spartans
Wahluke matched up against Granger Thursday and the ladies won it while the men got swept.
In girls singles, Justine Gallacci defeated Karin Golob (6-2, 6-2) and Dalila Jimenez beat Bethany Carpenter (6-3, 6-0).
In girls doubles, Poch/Lopez defeated Gonzales/Hernandez (6-0, 6-3) and the teams of Valencia/Zabylski and Diaz/Cochran won by forfeit.
On the boys side it was a different scene, with Wahluke being swept.
In boys singles, Alejandro Castano was defeated by Vince Castro (3-6, 0-6) and Matt Castro, of Granger, won by forfeit.
In boys doubles, Barajas/Ortiz was defeated by Alegria/Dodd (4-6, 0-6), Andrade/Morgan lost to Paul/Mengarelli (1-6, 1-6) and Torres/Solis, of Granger, won by forfeit.
Moses Lake splits with Medical Lake
The Lady Chiefs defeated Medical Lake six matches to one Thursday.
In girls singles, Gabe Madson defeated Colleen Constantine (6-2, 6-0), Nikki Chambers beat Christina Damico (6-0, 6-0), Charleen Johnson won over Frances Harris (6-0, 6-1) and Lexie Graham beat Kendau Dehnel (6-1, 6-2).
In girls doubles, Stevens/Stoker defeated Schmidt/Roberts (7-5, 6-1) and Gessel/Karr beat Rupert/Roussos (6-1, 6-0)