Spartans battle Badgers in 12 inning thriller

BONNERS FERRY — In a classic game that neither team will ever forget, Priest River scored three runs in the top of the 12th inninng and edged Bonners Ferry 10-9. Centerfielder Jake Flaherty scorched a two-run double down the left field line to cap the Spartans scoring, and a rally by the Badgers in the bottom of the 12th came up just short.

"It is just a shame that a game like this has to have a loser," said emotionally drained Spartan coach Lew Musso. "Both teams came up big in pressure situations time after time, and all these kids showed everybody what high school baseball is all about. Matchups like this are why I am still coaching, but my 70 year old heart can feel it, I tell you what."

The 12th inning finale was set up by a two RBI error that came off the bat of Badger catcher Ben Turner to tie the game at 7-7. Bonners had bounced back from a 2nd inning 6-0 deficit, scoring five in the third on five straight hits.

Blake Lindsay led off the 12th for Priest River with a long double, and two walks loaded the bases. Casey Deland then broke the tie with a sacrifice fly, and Flaherty then hit his big two base hit.

Badger pitcher Cody Ruben, who entered the game in the 2nd, was masterful for 82/3 innings, giving up one run on 9 hits and striking out 9. He was relieved by Kyle Dirks, who pitched two innings and took the loss.

Spartan starter Brad Denner was strong but reached his legal limit after going nine innings, surrendering 7 runs on 8 hits with 11 strikeouts. Chris Johnson pitched the last three innings to pick up the win, bearing down to get the last out with the tying run at third and darkness closing in.

Flaherty led Priest River with two doubles and a single, and Lindsay had a single and a double. Bonners Ferry was paced by Will Winn with two doubles and a single and Danny Swift with two singles and a double.

Priest River 060 001 000 003 — 10 13 1

Bonners Ferry 005 000 200 002 — 9 15 2

Brad Denner (10), Chris Johnson and Joe Hoepfer. Jon Pluid (2), Cody Rubin (11), Kyle Dirks and Ben Turner. W — Johnson. L — Dirks.

HITS: PR — Deland, Flaherty 3, Johnston 2, Hoepfer, Troudt, Brumley, Willig, Johnson, Lindsay 2. BF — Ruben, Winn 3, Turner, Surprenant 2, Gross, Swift 3, Hawks 2, Dirks 2.