Sandpoint opens districts with a pair of wins

Lichty, Watson, Karle all go yard

CRANBROOK, British Columbia — Eric Lichty hit a two-run home run in the top of the 11th inning to lift Sandpoint over Prairie at the North Idaho District American Legion Tournament on Friday.

Lichty was the Achilles heel for the Patriots, smacking three hits and knocking in all three RBIs for Sandpoint. Lichty drove in a run with a double in the sixth inning.

Korey Kreider started for Prairie and pitched 10 strong innings with six strikeouts and allowed six hits. Tim Carlson (4-3) entered the game in the 11th and walked leadoff batter Quinn Walkington before giving up the two-run shot to Lichty.

Mike Peak picked up the win for Sandpoint by striking out eight and walking only one.

The Lakers finished the day with a 4-2 victory over Trail, B.C.

Justin Watson led Sandpoint with a two-run homer in the fourth inning, while Chris Karle had a solo shot over the fence in the eighth to put the game away.

"We had 13 hits, but we left 11 runners on base," said Lakers coach Rick Klontz. "We need to come up with some timely hits, because we aren't going to be able to win a 4-2 ball game against a team like Lewiston."

Sandpoint plays Lewiston at 2 p.m. MST in Cranbrook.

Sandpoint 000 001 000 02 — 3 7 2

Prairie 000 000 001 00 — 1 8 0

Mike Peak, Noah Hawkins (11) and Chris Karle; Korey Kreider, Tim Carlson (10) and Kim Kreider. W — Peak. L — Carlson (4-3).

HITS: Spt — Lichty 3, Watson, Hodges, Karle, Crabb. Pra — Gosney 2, Ko. Kreider 2, Ki. Kreider 2, Douglas, Huffman. 2B — Lichty, Karle, Ki. Kreider. 3B — Karle. HR — Lichty.

Trail 100 000 000 — 2 6 2

Sandpoint 000 200 020 — 4 13 1

Noah Hawkins, Brent Scott (9) and Chris Karle; Martin, Mahon (8) and Burke.

HITS: Tra — Burke, Tichit, StDennis, Kissock, Florko, Soukeroff. Spt — Walkington, Lichty, Peak 2, Watson 2, Scott 3, Karle, Hawkins, Crabb. 2B — Walkington, Hawkins. HR — Karle, Watson, Soukeroff.