Northwest Notes April 4, 2023
Indians announce opening day roster
The Colorado Rockies assigned 30 players to Spokane on Monday for the start of the 2023 Northwest League season, which opens Friday against the Canadians in Vancouver.
Spokane’s roster includes 10 returning players from 2022, two top 10 overall draft picks, and five of Colorado’s top 10 prospects.
The roster is highlighted by former Gonzaga Bulldogs pitcher Gabriel Hughes, who was selected 10th overall in the 2022 MLB First-Year Draft. The 21-year-old right-hander was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award after finishing ninth in the nation in strikeouts (138) as a sophomore at Gonzaga last year. Hughes made one appearance with the Rockies this spring against Los Angeles, allowing just one hit to the Dodgers while striking out four over three scoreless frames.
Joining Hughes in the rotation is towering right-hander Jaden Hill, a second-round pick out of LSU in 2021, who appeared in 10 games with the Fresno Grizzlies in 2022 (25 Ks in 17.2 IP) after returning from Tommy John surgery.
The team's bullpen is anchored by former Whitworth Pirate Joel Condreay plus returners Tyler Ahearn, Anderson Bido, Mason Green, Evan Justice, Juan Mejia and Evan Shawver.
Benny Montgomery, the 8th overall selection in the 2021 draft, headlines an outfield that also features Tennessee standout Jordan Beck and the fleet-footed Braiden Ward, who finished 12th in MiLB with 57 steals last season.
Spokane's infield includes first-round pick Sterlin Thompson, the 31st overall selection out of Florida last summer, while the catching position will be manned by former Texas Tech backstop Braxton Fulford.
Other returning players on this year's roster include Nic Kent, AJ Lewis, and Cristopher Navarro.
A Fan Fest is scheduled for Wednesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Avista Stadium. This free event includes an autograph session, Home Run Derby, concessions available for purchase, a chance to shop the Spokane Indians Team Store, plus a player poster giveaway.
The first home game for the Spokane Indians is on Tuesday, April 11 at 6:30 p.m. against the Eugene Emeralds.
Erickson named College of Idaho women's basketball coach
CALDWELL — Kyle Erickson was announced as the new head women’s basketball coach at the College of Idaho on Monday, athletic director Reagan Rossi said.
Erickson was the top assistant coach at Pacific University in Forest Grove, Ore., for the last four years. In his time with the Boxers, he helped lead Pacific to back-to-back appearances in the Northwest Conference Championship game and seven all-NWC recipients with three earning first team honors. In four seasons, Pacific finished in the top three in the conference on three occasions. Erickson was actively involved in the recruiting, academic excellence and culture creation of the program.
Prior to coaching at Pacific, the Broadview, Mont., native was on the coaching staff at his alma mater, the University of Montana Western and the staff at Rocky Mountain College as well as time on the men’s side at Montana State University-Billings and Miles City Community College.
Taryn (Soumas) Riley, the former Timberlake High star, recently completed her second season at the College of Idaho.