Sandpoint tops Lakeland in opener

SANDPOINT — The Bulldogs benefited from a series of unfortunate events as the Hawks crumbled defensively in the bottom of the seventh inning at Memorial Field.

The first game of the Inland Empire League doubleheader got off to a slow start, but in the sixth inning Cruz Bruner hit a lead-off triple to spark a three run rally that put the Hawks up 4-2.

The Bulldogs swung back with a run in the bottom of the sixth, however it was a two-out single by Clay Montgomery in the seventh that put in motion the final chain of events.

Relief pitcher Andy Lattin got on base off an infield error. That was followed by another error off a high-hit ball by Sandpoint catcher Alex Wolf to right field, which allowed the tying and winning runs to score.

The second game was still underway at deadline with the Bulldogs and Hawks tied 8-8 in the top of the ninth inning.

Sandpoint will play the Vikings in Coeur d'Alene today.

FIRST GAME

Lakeland 010 003 0 — 4 8 4

Sandpoint 011 001 2 — 5 5 3

David Carlile, Cruz Bruner (6) and Jayson McMillen; Zack Manor, Andy Lattin (6) and Alex Wolfe. Save — Lattin. L — Bruner.

HITS: LL — Roth 2, Bruner 2, Carr, McMillen 2, Worth. Spt — Klontz 2, Hawkins, Argabrite, Montgomery. 3B — Bruner.