Tonnemacher pitches Lakers to doubleheader sweep of Prairie

SANDPOINT — Cole Tonnemacher accomplished a pretty rare feat, winning both games of a doubleheader as the Lakers ran their winning streak to 13 games, downing Prairie 22-3 and 4-3 Thursday night in American Legion baseball at War Memorial Field.

Tonnemacher fired a complete game two-hitter in the opener, striking out seven in a game called after five innings.

The Lakers (25-6) put up crooked numbers in nearly every inning, getting offensive production from a host of players. Andrew Pearlstein scored four runs, Joel Cramer had three hits, including a triple, and scored twice, and Jordan Hammack had four hits and a triple.

Tonnemacher also did some damage at the plate, smacking two doubles and scoring three times, while Ryan Schwartz added two hits and three runs and Sam Nitcy scored twice in the rout.

Game two was considerably closer, as Cramer pitched five solid innings to keep the game close. With the game tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning and a Laker runner on second and first base open, the Prarie pitcher threw two wild pitches while trying to intentionally walk Tonnemacher, allowing the winning run to score.

Tonnemacher pitched the final two innings to pick up the win, running his record on the season to 11-3, while dropping his ERA below two. Tonnemacher features command of four quality pitches, and pounds the strike zone, a key to his success.

Head coach Mike Givens had high praise for both Tonnemacher and the Lakers’ play of late.

“Cole doesn’t throw hard, but he keeps hitters off-balance. He gets ahead in the count and that’s the key at this level,” said head coach Mike Givens, adding the recent hot streak in the byproduct of continuity and team chemistry. “The guys really like each other and that’s huge.”

The Lakers will next face the Alumni, on Saturday night at 5 p.m. at War Memorial Field. A special session of batting practice will be held for the alumni tonight, at 6 p.m. at War Memorial Field, as the old guard look to make it two in a row over the young’ens.