Riley Creek opens Legion baseball season with a pair of wins

CRANBROOK, B.C. — In Sandpoint's first AA doubleheader of the season, the Riley Creek Lakers swept the Cranbrook Bandits 7-2, 20-8 in American Legion baseball action Saturday.

"We really didn't get started until the fifth inning of the first game," said Riley Creek coach Rick Klontz. "But once our bats came alive they never shutdown."

The Lakers finished the day with a total of 27 hits, led by Adam Hodges' two doubles and four singles.

"Hodges, after laying off a year, had a great game. He came out and smacked the ball," said Klontz. "Jake Howell and Quinn Walkington also had nice games. It was great to see us come out and attack the ball aggressively."

The Lakers also had strong pitching efforts from both Noah Hawkins and Glen Poelstra. Hawkins struck out 11 batters in the opener. Poelstra followed his example in game two by holding the Bandits to just four runs in four innings, with Hodges pitching in relief.

"We made a few mistakes, but overall they played two good games," said Klontz.

Riley Creek plays Coeur d'Alene at 6 p.m. today in Coeur d'Alene.

First Game

Sandpoint 100 020 4 — 7 9 2

Cranbrook 200 000 0 — 2 6 5

Noah Hawkins and Alex Wolfe; Sanders, Holmes (7), Barry (7) and Durrand.

HITS: Spt — Walkington, Klontz 2, Hodges 2, Hawkins, Crabb, Howell, Wolfe. Cran — Lowden, Nutshorn 3, Heiser, Barry. 2B — Hodges.

Second Game

Sandpoint 151 (13)0 — 20 18 3

Cranbrook 030 14 — 8 10 9

Glen Poelstra, Adam Hodges (5) and Alex Wolfe; Reinaiz, Raunch (2), Lowden (4), Hunter (4), Carman (5) and Durrand.

HITS: Spt — Walkington 2, Klontz 2, Hodges 4, Howell 2, Montgomery 2, Manor, Poelstra 3, Wolfe 2. Cran — Saunders, Nutshorn, Heiser, Barry 2, Durrand 2, Carman 2, Wilson 2. 2B — Walkington, Hodges, Howell, Poelstra, Wolfe, Barry. HR — Durrand.