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Crouse named opening night

starter for Indians vs. Boise

SPOKANE — The Spokane Indians officially announced right-handed pitcher Hans Crouse as tonight’s opening day starter against the Boise Hawks (6:30 p.m., SWX, KGA 1510).

The 19-year-old was the Texas Rangers’ 2017 second-round pick and 66th overall selection in the MLB Draft. He is currently ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the Rangers organization, according to MLB.com.

Crouse’s first start for the Indians will also be his affiliated debut for Texas after spending the first year of his professional career in Arizona. The California-native saw limited work in 2017. He pitched a total of 20 innings in 10 games for the Rangers in the AZL. Over those 20 innings, he struck out 30 batters and allowed just one earned run.

Crouse’s last full season was in 2016 for his senior season at Dana Hills High School. He went 7-3 as a starter with a 1.17 ERA and 103 strikeouts. His senior accolades landed him a spot as a Rawlings-Perfect Game first-team All-American.

The right-hander also represented Team USA in the 2017 Pan American Baseball Federation Under-18 World Cup. Most notably, he pitched in the gold medal game against Cuba. Crouse struck out 11 batters and only surrendering one hit in seven shutout innings to lead Team USA to a 7-1 victory.

Sandpoint’s Chafe 150 ride

honored in Bicycling Magazine

SANDPOINT — Once again the little town of Sandpoint has earned acclaim at the national level, as the Chafe 150 Gran Fondo was named as one of “9 Totally Awesome Charity Bike Rides” in the most recent issue of Bicycling Magazine.

Here is what the popular national magazine said about the ride, under the header of Kids with Autism: “You’ll support children on the spectrum in Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille School District — the money goes to fund learning tools, and training and support for staff and families. Experience a single-day, high-country, 150-mile road ride that circumnavigates (key word) the gorgeous Cabinet Mountains. Translation: no major mountain passes or sustained climbs, and a total elevation gain of about 3,500 feet.”

The 11th annual ride is scheduled for Saturday.

The 150-mile ride begins and ends in Sandpoint, looping around the Cabinet Mountains. The 80-mile ride begins in Troy, Mont., and ends in Sandpoint. The 30-mile ride loops from Sandpoint City Beach to the Pack River Store, and back.

More than 350 riders are expected this year

Information: chafe.org