SPORTS: Port Angeles’ Lane gets his baseball wish: Gonzaga

LONGVIEW — It took two extra years, but Eric Lane got his wish.

The former Port Angeles High School three-sport star received a scholarship offer from Division I Gonzaga University to play for its baseball team next spring.

The Lower Columbia Community College sophomore is being offered a half-scholarship by the Bulldogs.

His teammate, Sequim’s Ben Grubb, also is being noticed by bigger schools.

Lane, though, is set for Gonzaga.

“It’s not totally official right now, but they sent the letter of intent in the mail,” Lane said Saturday.

“I’m really excited about it,” he said. “Gonzaga is not doing really well right now, but last year they finished 22nd in the nation.”

Gonzaga has a young team this year and things are going in the right direction, Lane said.

“It’s hard to pass up,” Lane said about the offer.

Lane is batting .481 at Lower Columbia with a .734 slugging average and .527 on-base percentage.

He also has four home runs, eight doubles, two triples and 29 RBIs.

“When I did well last year I realized I could play at the next level, and this year rolled around and I started playing really well,” Lane said.

“I never really thought I would be here, it kind of surprised me a little bit,” he added.

Going to community college helped prepare Lane for Division I baseball.

“I wasn’t ready to play Division I baseball at the end of high school,” he said. “This was the perfect step for me.”

Lane had received some interest from Oral Roberts and the University of Portland earlier this season, but it didn’t work out.

A fast start this season for Lower Columbia helped Lane get noticed by the bigger colleges.

Lane plans to play second base for the Zags.

“They said they need a second baseman and a center fielder, so that’s the plan,” he said.

Lane plans on majoring in history and education.

“I just want to be a teacher and coach,” he said.

Sequim standout

Grubb also is getting interest from colleges.

Grubb is batting .450 with a .617 slugging average and .600 on-base percentage for Lower Columbia.

Lane and Grubb are the top two hitters for Lower Columbia, respectively.

Grubb also has two homers, four doubles and has scored 18 runs. He has 16 RBIs.

More in Sports

East Jefferson's Kaydence Plotner drives for a basket against Charles Wright on Monday. Plotner had 18 points and 12 steals. East Jefferson's John Mercado (2) shoots against Charles Wright. Mercado hit three 3-pointers and scored 16 in a Rivals' victory.  (Photos by Steve Mullensky/for Peninsula Daily News)
EAST JEFFERSON BASKETBALL: Rivals teams sweep Charles Wright

Girls win their fifth in a row in a 72-3 blowout

Sequim’s Charlie Grider goes up for a shot surrounded by North Kitsap defenders Friday as teammate Mason Rapelje (20) is in on the play. The Wolves beat the Vikings 74-46. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
PREP BASKETBALL RECAP: 10-0 Sequim to face biggest test yet at Bremerton

The North Kitsap boys basketball team has been beating up… Continue reading

Photos by Jay Cline/Peninsula College
Peninsula College’s Shania Moananu (24) drives past the defense of an Edmonds player Saturday in Port Angeles. Peninsula won 87-59 to improve to 11-2 on the season.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Women cruise in first home game in a month; men lose in a shootout

The Peninsula College women’s basketball team apparently has no… Continue reading

Sequim's Solomon Sheppard (3) dunks against North Kitsap on Friday as teammate Jericho Julmist, far right, celebrates. Sequim crushed the Vikings 74-46 to remain unbeaten on the season. (Emily Mathiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
PREP BASKETBALL: Sequim crushes North Kitsap to improve to 10-0

The North Kitsap boys basketball team has been beating up… Continue reading