Lakers begin state legion tourney today

SANDPOINT — Solid starting pitching has helped the Riley Creek Lakers build a 25-12 record this year, but it will be their bats that determine how far they advance in the 2007 Class AA American Legion baseball tournament this weekend at Harris Field in Lewiston.

Zac Manor, Tyler Lichty and Cory Hawkins give the Lakers a trio of starters that can match up with any team in the tournament. However, the eight teams that qualified for the state tournament can all mash the ball and some of the games figure to be high scoring.

Lakers coach Rick Klontz puts it even more bluntly.

"If we don't hit, we can't win," he said. "If we hit, we'll win."

Zac Manor will get the start today when Riley Creek takes on the Boise-area Centennial Cannons, the top-seeded team in the double-elimination tournament, with first pitch slated for 4 p.m. While Lichty is considered the staff ace, Klontz believes Manor gives them the best shot against the Cannons.

"The No. 1 seed team are probably good fastball hitters and Tyler is a fastball pitcher," explained Klontz of his decision to start Manor. "Zac throws a lot of off-speed stuff; I'll take my chances with that."

Manor went the distance — nine innings in tournament play — in the Lakers' district win over Lewis-Clark last week. Win or lose, Lichty will get the following start, and Hawkins if they're still alive after that.

Hawkins will also anchor the line-up, boasting a hot bat with home run power. He hit two homers, and brothers Woody and Dusty one apiece, in the district win over Lewis-Clark. Lichty, Manor, Vinny D'Orazi, Cody Reichart, Alex Wolfe and Ricky Klontz will all provide punch in the Lakers' batting order.

If the Lakers win today, they play Saturday at 7 p.m., if they lose today, they play Saturday at 1 p.m.