Jerome comes out on top in pitchers' duel

BOISE — Two of the top pitchers in the state locked horns in a pitchers' duel Thursday as Jerome beat defending state champion Sandpoint 3-1 in the opening round of the 4A state baseball tournament Thursday afternoon at Bishop Kelly High School.

Tyler Lichty held Jerome (26-4) to only three hits on the day, but the Bulldogs (15-12) could only manage four and ended up leaving eight runners on base. Cory Hawkins' double was the only extra-base hit for Sandpoint.

"Tyler threw a gem, we just didn't get enough runs for him," said Sandpoint coach Mike Givens, whose ace struck out four and walked only two. "We tried to manufacture runs, but to no avail. We tried to sacrifice runners over, tried to hit and run; just left too many guys on base."

The game was tied 0-0 in the sixth inning, when Jerome got a lead off walk to start the inning. The next batter showed bunt, then drew back and quickly slashed a ball over the drawn in second baseman's head and into the gap for an RBI triple. An infield single and an error led to three runs and the winning margin. The Bulldogs would score their only run on a Cole Tonnemacher sacrifice fly in the bottom of the sixth.

Givens expects his team to respond to adversity and bounce back today when they take on Bishop Kelly (22-5), which lost 11-1 to Minico in the night cap. The Bulldogs beat the Knights last year in the championship game, and Givens expects to see their two best pitcher today. Cory Hawkins will get the start for Sandpoint, looking to extend their season one more day.

"We need to play small ball and execute," said Givens of the plan against Bishop Kelly. "We were too anxious against Jerome and tried to press. We need to be patient, relax and look for pitches in our zone."

First pitch is at 1 p.m. Mountain time at Bishop Kelly High School.

Jerome 000 003 0 — 3 3 0

Sandpoint 000 001 0 — 1 4 1

Thompson and Allen; Tyler Lichty and Cody Reichart. W — Thompson. L — Lichty.

HITS: Jer — Thompson, Doss, Green. Spt — C. Hawkins, Reichart, D. Hawkins, Armbruster. 2B — Thompson, C. Hawkins. 3B — Boss.