Northwest Notes

Rangers’ top pick in ’16 to

start for Indians on opening day

SPOKANE — The Spokane Indians announced Saturday left-handed pitcher Cole Ragans as Thursday night’s opening day starter against the Boise Hawks.

The 19-year-old was the Texas Rangers’ 2016 first-round pick and 30th overall selection in the MLB Draft. He is currently rated the No. 8 prospect in the Texas Rangers organization, according to MLB.com.

Ragans’ first game starting for the Indians will also be his affiliated debut for Texas after spending the first year of his professional career in Arizona.

The native of Crawfordville, Fla., saw limited work in 2016 playing in the Arizona League. He pitched a total of four games, including two starts, while totaling just 7 2/3 innings of work. During that span the southpaw surrendered 11 hits and 4 earned runs, while striking out 11.

Ragans’ last full season of baseball was his senior year at North Florida Christian High School. The 2016 All-Big Bend Pitcher of the Year went 9-2 with a 0.90 ERA and 104 strikeouts in 70 innings pitched.

Grad transfer Bernstine to

join WSU basketball program

PULLMAN — North Dakota graduate transfer Drick Bernstine has signed a financial aid agreement to join the Washington State men’s basketball program for the 2017-18 season, WSU head coach Ernie Kent announced.

Bernstine (6-8, 220) spent the last two seasons at North Dakota where he averaged 9.0 points and 8.3 rebounds in two seasons and helped lead the Fighting Hawks to the 2017 NCAA Tournament, the school’s first tournament appearance. North Dakota fell to Arizona in the first round, as Bernstine scored 20 points and had 15 rebounds. He averaged 8.3 points and 7.5 rebounds as a junior in 2016-17 and 9.7 points and 9.1 rebounds as a sophomore in 2015-16, recording 9 double-doubles.

Prior to his time at North Dakota, Bernstine spent two seasons at Denver where he played one season (2013-14). He averaged 2.1 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13 games as a true freshman for the Pioneers. A native of Aurora, Colo., Bernstine prepped at Cherokee Trail High School where he was named Class 5A All-Colorado first team after averaging 19.0 points and 9.7 rebounds as a senior.

Bernstine received his undergraduate degree. He will have one year of eligibility and be immediately eligible to play.