Northwest Notes June 14, 2012

Indians announce roster

for 2012 NWL season

SPOKANE - The Texas Rangers assigned 29 players to Spokane for the start of the Northwest League baseball season, which opens Friday at Avista Stadium.

Highlighting the roster is Gonzaga outfielder Royce Bolinger and three other players: pitcher Alec Asher from Polk State College, Texas-Arlington outfielder Preston Beck and second baseman Cam Schiller from Oral Roberts, who were selected in the first 10 rounds of this year's MLB First-Year Player Draft.

Additional 2012 draft picks coming to Spokane include: pitchers Joseph Burns, Coby Cowgill, Ryan Harvey, Cody Kendall, Josh McElwee and infielders Gabriel Roa and Barrett Serrato.

Top international players assigned to the Indians this year include: infielder Smerling Lantigua, outfielder Christopher Garia and pitchers Abel de Los Santos and Jose Valdespina.

Returning players include: Richard Alvarez, John Kukuruda, Carlos Melo, David Perez, Ryan Rua, Nick Urbanus, Nick Vickerson and Hirotoshi Onaka.

"We are excited about this squad and look forward to competing for another Northwest League title," said manager Tim Hulett, who returns for his sixth season. "The players have a few days to practice and get acclimated to Spokane and then it's on to opening night."

Hulett will be assisted by hitting coach Oscar Bernard, pitching coach Ryan O'Malley, coach Vinny Lopez, trainer Sean Fields and strength and conditioning coach Ed Yong.

Spokane to induct Spring,

Schiller to Rim of Honor

Jack Spring and Elten Schiller were named as the 2012 Spokane Indians Rim of Honor recipients, the team announced.

A native of Spokane, Spring played a season at Washington State before turning pro with the Indians. He pitched for three seasons with Spokane in the 1950s and 1960s and played eight seasons in the Major Leagues before becoming a baseball coach, teacher and athletic director at West Valley High for 23 years, including a state championship in 1978.

Schiller had a 41-year career in baseball with five seasons as general manager of the Spokane Indians from 1967 to 1971.

They will be honored in a special ceremony before the home opener on Friday against Vancouver.

Times announced for

EWU football games

Game times for Eastern Washington home football games have been finalized, athletic director Bill Chaves announced.

Eastern's home opener against rival Montana on Sept. 29 will begin at 4:05 p.m. PST and be televised by Root Sports. Eastern's game on Oct. 6 against North Dakota on Hall of Fame Day will begin at 5:05 and homecoming on Oct. 20 against Sacramento State will start at 4:05.

Remaining games against Cal Poly on Nov. 3 and Nov. 10 against UC Davis will begin at 1:35.

Season tickets, including admission to all five games are being sold for as low as $45. Single game tickets go on sale Sept. 4 at 10 a.m. Until then, only members of the Eagle Athletic Association are able to purchase single game tickets, including the Eagle-Grizzly showdown.

Eastern's road game times are mostly finalized, starting with a 6 p.m. game at Idaho on Thursday, Aug. 30. Eastern's game at Washington State on Sept. 8 has been tentatively set for 2, and the game at Weber State on Sept. 22 is 5:05.

The game at Montana State on Oct. 13 will be televised by Root Sports and begin at 12:35 and at Southern Utah on Oct. 27 will start at noon and their season finale at Portland State on Nov. 17 is set to begin at 1:05.

For a complete schedule and ticket information, visit www.goeags.com.

Lewiston junior Wilson

commits to Idaho

women's hoops

Lewiston High senior-to-be Karlee Wilson has verbally committed to play basketball at Idaho in 2013-14, she told the Lewiston Tribune.

"I picked Idaho because it was close to my family and home, and all my grandmas and grandpas can come and watch," the point guard said.

Wilson, who was also recruited by University of San Diego and Wyoming, among others, helped lead Lewiston to back-to-back Idaho girls 5A titles in 2011 and 2012.

As a second-year starter last season, Wilson, an All-5A Inland Empire League selection, averaged just under 10 points a game while holding a 4-to-1 assist to turnover ratio.

Zak! charity event set

for July 29-30 in Spokane

SPOKANE - In the 13 years since it was first started, the Zak!Charity Open has become one of Spokane's premier charity events, raising more than $3.1 million for local children's charities.

The 2012 two-day event will kick off with the "Summer Celebration" Dinner & Auction on July 29 at Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Airway Heights. On July 30, the Zak!Charity Open will feature two simultaneous golf tournaments at the Spokane Country Club and Manito Golf and Country Club.

The event will raise money for two local children's charities - the Rypien Foundation and Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County.

The Rypien Foundation was founded by Super Bowl MVP Mark Rypien, who lost his 3-year-old son, Andrew, to cancer. The Rypien Foundation helps provide children who are battling cancer and their families with the support and services they need during their most difficult times.

As part of a nationwide effort, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Spokane County provide kids in the community with a safe place where they can develop the skills, knowledge and character they'll need to find success in life; both inside and outside of the classroom.

Information: www.zakcharityopen.org, (509) 244-8656