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Fruitland baseball wins 3A District III title

By Ray Rodriguez
Argus Observer
Friday, May 9, 2008 12:32 PM PDT

Ray Rodriguez | Argus Observer The Fruitland baseball team gets a little rowdy posing for a picture moments after defeating Weiser 11-0 to claim the 3A District III championship Thursday in Fruitland. The Grizzlies finished undefeated in Snake River Valley Conference play and clinched the district crown for the third straight season.

Fruitland—Before the 3A District III championship game, Fruitland head coach Russ Wright said he noticed a look in his players eyes.

The veteran coach knew his team was ready.

Fruitland jumped out of the gates with six runs in the first inning and cruised the rest of the way to an 11-0 five-inning win over Weiser in district baseball action Thursday in Fruitland.

“All week long, in practice yesterday and in pregame, I just saw something in their eyes,” Wright said. “They were focused and knew what they had to do.”

The win clinched the third straight district crown for the Grizzlies, who finished Snake River Valley Conference play undefeated.


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In the first inning, the Grizzlies sent 10 batters to the plate, racked up three hits and received two free passes.

Zack Fabricius, Kyle Blackwell and Tommy Macfarlane each had RBI singles and Nick Varriale chipped in an RBI sacrifice fly.

Caleb Howard and Tyson Flannery also scored on a throwing error.

Weiser starter, Blaine Swain, could not find his rhythm and lasted 1⁄3 of an inning and was charged with five of the runs.

In the third, Fruitland increased its lead to 10-0 with four more runs off Weiser reliever Brandon Richins.

Flannery led off with a walk, and Kaleo Nawahine followed with a single to put runners at the corners with no outs.

Nawahine stole second base, and the next batter, Caleb Crim, struck out on a ball in the dirt and raced for first.

Weiser catcher Javier Lopez waited, hesitated, stopped, then fired an errant throw into right field. Flannery and Nawahine scored and Crim advanced all the way to third base. Varriale capped the frame with an RBI single up the middle, and the mercy rule was in effect.

Varriale went 1-for-1 with two RBIs. Nawahine went 1-for-2 with two runs scored. Crim scored two runs for the Grizzlies, who tallied five hits, were issued six walks and took advantage of five Wolverine miscues.

“Fruitland’s a great team, but we didn’t help our chances with the errors we made,” Weiser coach Ted Pettet said. “You give a good team extra chances, and they are going to take advantage. Fruitland, they smelled blood and went after us.”

All the offense was plenty for Fruitland’s Fabricius.

The southpaw tossed five frames, struck out six, walked one and allowed one hit.

Blackwell, a junior, feels it is just the first step for his team and said this is the year they can finally break through and claim a championship.

“This definitely is the first step. All year long, our goal was to win the state championship,” Blackwell said. “I feel this could be the year we do it. We’re playing well right now. We’re hitting the ball and playing solid all the way around. We’re focused, and we’re more of a team this year.”

So what will be different this time around after two failed attempts in the past two years?

For one, Wright said his squad is motivated to get senior Jay Sutton his first state championship.

“Our guys have been talking about winning one for Jay,” Wright said. “His brother got a state championship, and I know he wants to match his brother with a state championship of his own. The guys have been rallying around that. Nothing is a given. We still have some work to do.”

Weiser is still alive and can earn a state berth with a win Saturday over Payette, who defeated Homedale earlier Thursday.

State action kicks off Thursday at Treasure Valley Community College.

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Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

To Jeff wrote on May 20, 2008 2:16 PM:

" I have two words for you Mike Peterson. Player of the Year ect ect ect... "

just another payette mom wrote on May 14, 2008 1:09 PM:

" Great Job to both Payette and Fruitland! It is so awesome to see postings for both teams! We should be proud of all our kids, no matter what team they play on! Great job to the parents as well!!!!! "

Some Guy wrote on May 14, 2008 10:37 AM:

" The thing is, the Grizzlies are where they are becuase of great coaches and talented, dedicated players, not because they rely on transfers to come in and boost the program. I can understand being frustrated with them because of the sense of smugness/entitlement that some of the players and fans have, but suggesting that Fruitland relies on neighboring towns for success is ridiculous. "

Another Fruitland Mom wrote on May 13, 2008 9:37 PM:

" Good Job boys! Good Luck at State! Thank you Payette for your support and Hugh hass I do all my shopping in the Nampa/Boise area. Cheaper and better product. I don't like the taxless socks I can buy quality socks for the same price at JC Penny's, Ross, Target and my groceries are cheaper and better at Winco. "

Fruitland Parent wrote on May 13, 2008 9:06 PM:

" Good luck to both teams representing our district at state--Payette and Fruitland. A lot of the players from both teams have played together over the years, through Little League, Babe Ruth, etc. Best of luck! "

Fruitland Parent wrote on May 13, 2008 9:03 PM:

" Good luck to both teams representing our district at state--Payette and Fruitland. "

SOFTBALL MOM wrote on May 13, 2008 12:15 PM:

" GOOD JOB.... GOOD LUCK AT STATE... "

Fred wrote on May 13, 2008 12:06 PM:

" I didn't say there was anything wrong with kids moving to Fruitland. Someone had said that the whole team had been in Fruitland all along. I just named 3 that I knew who had come to Fruitland lately. All teams benefit from transfers. Ontario had a great football team with 2 transfers helping them, Loren Stewart and Chad Allen. In fact those 2 were the only 1st team all-state players that Ontario had. I've been reading a lot about 2 former Fruitland kids who are doing very well in New Plymouth, KJ Morris and Matt York. People shouldn't be bitter about it, neither should they deny it happens no matter what the reason. "

Very Nice wrote on May 13, 2008 10:10 AM:

" It is refreshing to see great sportsmanship from the Payette faithful towards Fruitland. Very CLASSY!!!!!!! Good luck to the Pirates and the rest of our valley kids in State events!!! "

Jeff wrote on May 13, 2008 10:04 AM:

" Hugh Jass you are funny and I agree with you.

Of course how good was Ontario without their star football player when they won the state championship that they had to forfeit. "

Need Proof wrote on May 13, 2008 7:37 AM:

" Fred...Lets see. Blackwell been here at least 3 years. Nawahine 3 years. Flannery 2 years!! Parents do move from city to city. With the recent growth going on in Fruitland the last fews years, having new kids move in is not uncommon!!! I do not know what you and Hugh define as recent but 2 to 3 years ago is a stretch!!! "

Kathy L wrote on May 12, 2008 10:43 PM:

" to hugh jass...you are exactly that. I guess if Fruitland really thought the auqatic center was a great idea we would have one. We had one once but it wasn't a moneymaker so we built a major intersection there rather than a more expensive pool. And just like your blog this has NOTHING to do with Grizzly baseball. Good job Grizz. "

Pirate Mom wrote on May 12, 2008 4:20 PM:

" Congratulations Grizz! You have a ballteam that is well coached and loaded with top notch athletes. I hope you and the Pirates do well at State! "

Payette parent wrote on May 12, 2008 12:43 PM:

" The Fruitland boys have a great team. Let them enjoy their success. Many of them work year round to prepare for baseball season, and it shows. Congratulations Fruitland. "

Fred wrote on May 12, 2008 12:04 PM:

" I don't know who Hugh Jas is but I can tell you that Nawahine, Blackwell and Flannery at least are all recent arrivals from other local towns. "

Need proof wrote on May 12, 2008 9:33 AM:

" Hey Hugh Jass...You are really full of it!!! What 3 kids just moved into town for this championship run? Meds...Get them filled all day long at Med Now in Fruitland. Food..You might have me there. mini marts rule in Fruitland ouch. I would rather go shop in Nampa or Boise anyway. Your little tax idea would seal the day!! Have a great day Hugh Jass. "

Mamagrizz wrote on May 12, 2008 7:10 AM:

" To coaches favorites: Apparently you haven't been at any of the Fruitland baseball games this year. You haven't watched while the coaches played freshmen in the varsity games, only allowed the players to advance one base at a time when the score was lopsided, and many other examples of sportsmanship. During one lopsided game, the catcher even went to the mound and pitched! Sour grapes from the likes of you won't keep these wonderful kids from feeling proud of themselves, and those sour grapes won't keep those of us who have followed the season from being proud of our boys. They are fine examples of what high school players can aspire to be. "

Hugh Jass wrote on May 9, 2008 8:42 PM:

" Have you ever tried to buy a pair of socks in Fruitland? How about a dozen eggs? When was the last time a Fruitland resident got a presciption filled in their hometown? The point is, people from Fruitland have to go to Ontario the purchase the most basic necessities of life. The Ontario city leaders should levy the 1% sales tax only on Fruitland residents and that would fund the aquatic center and library for ten years. See a trend here? Take the Grizz baseball team. A third of their starting nine moved into town just in time for this championship run. Just like the rest of the town, the Grizz has to look elsewhere for the essential components just to exist.

Good luck at State! "

coaches favorites wrote on May 9, 2008 3:27 PM:

" It seems that with a win this one sided the coach could play more players than he does. This is the trend at Fruitland for years. Your name seems to determine who plays the most. Most of their wins this year have been big margins over the other team. Most of the players have not played.
Gee if we played the younger inexperienced players the other team might score a couple of runs seems to be the reasoning. If you are able to hold a runner from advancing the bases on a well hit ball to prevent running up the score more then you should have the other players in the game and let them get experience too. Superb job of coaching. "

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