SHS places four on All-IEL baseball team

SANDPOINT — Considering the number of Sandpoint baseball records that were broken this season, it should come as no surprise that four members of the fourth place state baseball team were named to the All Inland Empire League team on Tuesday.

Leading the way was pitcher Tyler Lichty, who went 8-4 this season while registering more than 100 strikeouts, both school records. He also set records with 72 innings pitched, and the most complete games. He was selected to the first team by opposing coaches, who had the utmost respect for the flame-throwing ace.

"Tyler was a fierce competitor," said coach Mike Givens. "The coaches all respected him and his abilities."

Not to be outdone, junior Cory Hawkins left his own hefty imprint on the Bulldog record book while also making the first team. His six home runs were two more than the previous record. His 16 doubles were twice as many as any previous Bulldog hitter. He also set a record with 46 hits, and his .469 season average and live bat weren't lost on opposing pitchers and managers.

"He was a tough out," said Givens of Hawkins. "He was a guy that never gave up on plays."

Sophomore outfielder Jake Semones was named to the second team. The lanky left hander was one of the toughest outs in the Bulldogs batting order.

"He is a contact hitter that sprays the ball," said Givens. "He puts the ball in play and with his speed got a lot of infield hits."

Junior catcher Cody Reichard was named honorable mention. He set Sandpoint records with a .995 fielding percentage and a whopping 172 putouts. Givens said his work ethic and ability to block balls set him apart as a catcher.

All-Inland Empire League

PLAYER OF THE YEAR — Alex Capaul, sr. Lake City.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR — Josh Richardson, jr., Lewiston.

COACH OF THE YEAR — Cory Bridges, Lake City.

FIRST TEAM

PITCHERS — Tyler Lichty, sr., Sandpoint; Tyler Knigge, sr., Lewiston; Zach Clanton, jr., Lake City; Brandon Haas, sr., Post Falls. FIRST BASEMAN — Beau Balmer, jr., Lewiston. SECOND BASEMAN — Cory Hawkins, jr., Sandpoint. THIRD BASEMAN — Jackson Seaman, so., Coeur d'Alene; SHORTSTOP — Trent Bridges, jr., Lake City. CATCHER — Tim Kerr, jr., Lewiston. OUTFIELDERS — Paul Wymer, sr., Moscow; Alex Reyes, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Kyle Johnson, jr., Lake City; Matt Martin, sr., Lewiston. UTILITY — Shea Vucinich, sr., Coeur d'Alene. DESIGNATED HITTER — Adam Carson, sr., Lewiston.

SECOND TEAM

PITCHERS — Andy Seaman, sr., Coeur d'Alene; Brett Harris, sr., Lewiston; Chris Combo, jr., Lake City; Brett Watson, jr., Lewiston. FIRST BASEMAN — Dan Flanigan, sr. Moscow. SECOND BASEMAN — Cody Spencer, sr., Coeur d'Alene. THIRD BASEMAN — Tom Kerr, jr., Lewiston. SHORTSTOP — Scott Carr, jr., Lakeland. CATCHER — Vinny Lupinacci, sr., Coeur d'Alene. OUTFIELD — Dylan Collinson, jr., Lake City; Jake Semones, so., Sandpoint; Tucker Anderson, jr., Lake City; Levi Blinn, sr., Lewiston. UTILITY — John Rohde, sr., Lewiston. DESIGNATED HITTER — Taylor Forge, jr., Lewiston.