Bulldogs top Vikings in home opener

SANDPOINT — Timely hitting and a little War Memorial Field love proved the difference, as Sandpoint exacted revenge on Coeur d’Alene with a 6-5 win in Inland Empire League play on Thursday.

After falling 7-3 to the Vikings on Wednesday, Sandpoint was eager for the rematch, stringing together a bunch of singles to plate five runs in the third inning and taking the lead for good. Joel Cramer had two hits, and Ricky Lang stole two bases as the Bulldogs (6-10, 1-4 IEL) played small ball with great success.

“We started jumping on the ball and were able to move runners and get timely hits,” said Bulldogs coach Chris Young, admitting it was nice to be home after 15 road games to start the year. “We were finally at home and had lots of fan support.”

Jordan Hammack went the distance on the mound, featuring a curve ball and mixing speeds, and spreading out the Vikings’ 11 hits with minimal damage.

Devon Austin had three hits to lead the Vikings (7-6, 2-3 IEL), and J.J. Turbin and Jackson Seaman added two apiece, but the Vikings were only able to score five times despite rapping five extra-base hits.

Sandpoint hosts Moscow in a big 4A North doubleheader on Saturday. First pitch is slated for noon at War Memorial Field.

Coeur d’Alene 201 101 0 — 5  11  2

Sandpoint       105  000 x — 6   7   3

Matt Cade, Priano (6) and Devon Austin; Jordan Hammack and Jonas Cafferty. W — Hammack. L — Cade.

HITS: Cd’a — J.J. Turbin 2, Seaman 2, Austin 3, Dawson, Pereira, Comack, D. Turbin, Lambert. Spt — Cramer 2, Tonnemacher, Olin, Cafferty, Charvoz, Halpin. 2B — J.J. Turbin, Austin, Comack, Cramer. 3B — Seaman, Dawson.