Legion baseball makes return to Sandpoint

SANDPOINT — After a one year hiatus, American Legion baseball is back in Sandpoint, as the Riley Creek Lakers returned to the diamond this week.

Coached by Mike Givens (former college and SHS coach) and Ricky Klontz (former SHS star now playing college ball), the team has been practicing for the past week at War Memorial Field, and  will play a 36 game season, plus district and possibly state tournaments.

David Dishong pitched five solid innings, giving up just two hits and one run, to lead the Lakers to a season-opening 3-1 win over Prairie on Tuesday. Tied 1-1 going into the final inning, the Lakers (1-0) scored the go-ahead run off a long drive by Matt Kingsley, which was misplayed by the defense, allowing the winning runs to score.

The Lakers turned two double plays on the day, and had numerous other defensive gems in the tight game.

The teams entered the final inning tied at one a piece.  Sandpoint scored the go-ahead run off a long drive by Matt kingsley, which was mishandled by the defense.  Ironically, a game that featured two Laker double-plays and numerous other stellar defensive plays ended on an error that let the lLakers score two in the bottom of the inning.

The Lakers play at Prairie again on Friday.