Hawkins leads Riley Creek to 6-1 win in nightcap

SANDPOINT — Dustin Hawkins threw a two-hit, 13 strikeout gem to lead Riley Creek to a 6-1 win in the nightcap of a doubleheader with Prarie Tuesday night at War Memorial Field.

"He had a great outing tonight; he kept them off-balance and was hitting his spots," said Riley Creek coach Rick Klontz of Hawkins. "We're on a roll right now."

Zack Aker had three hits to lead Prarie (14-23, 4-12) in the first game, won 8-7 by the Lakers (23-8-2) after close lightning and a torrential rain storm delayed the game for a half hour. Despite the losses, Prarie coach Al Bevacqua liked how his team competed.

"That was a great ball club we played today," he said. "We played well that first game and we're right where we need to be for districts."

Prarie was down 7-2 in the first game before rallying to tie it at 7-7 when the rains came.

"Our capability to come back in the first game showed a lot," said Bevacqua. "That never-say-die attitude has been a constant the whole year."

Riley Creek is at Lewiston on Saturday, then will host the District Tournament July 26-28 at War Memorial Field.

GAME 1

Prarie 200 140 0 — 7 11 0

Riley Creek 241 001 X — 8 10 2

Cory Rohrenback, Zack Aker (4) and Nick Snider; Zac Manor and Cody Reichart. W — Manor. L — Aker.

HITS: Prarie — S. Carr, Aker 3, Haas, Bruner, Snider 2, Vandever, Garcia, Douglas, Brubaker. Riley Creek — Wolfe, Klontz, C. Hawkins 3, Reichart, Lichty, Manor, Tonnemacher, D'Orazi. 2B — Aker, Douglas, C. Hawkins 2, Klontz, D'Orazi.

GAME 2

Prarie 000 001 0 — 1 2 3

Riley Creek 011 040 X — 6 5 4

Brandon Haas and Snider; Dustin Hawkins and Reichart. W — Hawkins. L — Haas.

HITS: Prarie — S. Carr, Vandever. Riley Creek — Klontz 2, Lichty, Manor, W. Hawkins.