Cd'A ekes out win over Bulldogs

COEUR d'ALENE — Jackson Seaman scored from second base on Vinny Lupinacci's infield hit with two out in the eighth inning, lifting the Coeur d'Alene Vikings past the Sandpoint Bulldogs 2-1 in Inland Empire League baseball play Wednesday.

Seaman led off with a double to left center field for the Vikings (7-0, 2-0 IEL). Two outs later, Lupinacci hit a chopper to shortstop and slid head-first into first base. Seaman kept running and scored ahead of the throw.

"It was just an unbelievable at-bat," Coeur d'Alene coach Chris Stangel said. "He must have fouled off six balls before he got that infield hit."

Tyler Lichty of Sandpoint (0-3, 0-1) struck out six in eight innings., and carried a perfect game into the fifth inning.

"That boy just battled," Stangel said. "We hit the ball hard, right at people, but he would not give in. I certainly tip my cap to him."

Sandpoint coach Mike Givens said a couple of colleges were there to scout Lichty, and that they said his fastball was hitting 89 mph en route to a zero walk, eight strikeout, four-hit gem.

"Lichty had great command of his pitches," said Givens. "He was the difference for us, and the defense made the routine plays behind him."

Andy Seaman struck out four and gave up one hit in four innings for Coeur d'Alene. Beau Snider's RBI singles put the Vikings up 1-0 in the fifth. Cody Reichart's RBI single in the sixth tied it for Sandpoint.

Having only practiced on a field once prior to the game, and coming off two big losses in the Tri-Cities, Givens was pleasantly surprised by how his team looked.

"It was a nice step up, now the boys know they can play with anybody."

Sandpoint plays at Lewiston on Saturday.

Sandpoint 000 001 00 — 1 4 2

Cd'A 000 010 01 — 2 4 2

2 out when winning run scored.

Tyler Lichty and Tavo Rivas; Andy Seaman, Jackson Seaman (5), Shea Vucinich (8) and Vinny Lupinacci. W — Vucinich (1-0). L — Lichty.

HITS: Spt — Fisher, C. Hawkins, Reichart, D. Hawkins. Cd'A — Turbin, J. Seaman 2, Snider. 2B — J. Seaman.