Gordon pitches Lakers to sweep of Cd'A, league title

COEUR d’ALENE — A rock-solid pitching performance from Tyler Gordon led the Peak Sand and Gravel Lakers to a 4-3 win in the nightcap of a doubleheader sweep Thursday night in Coeur d’Alene, as the Lakers claimed the “A” American Legion league championship.

Gordon struck out eight in the complete game, running his record on the season to a perfect 6-0.

“Tyler threw an exceptional game,” said Lakers head coach Mike Givens, whose team needed a sweep to win the seven-team league title. “His off speed and curve were working excellent, and he was getting players out left and right with his curve ball.”

Joel Cramer, Andrew Pearlstein and Nick Halpin each drove in a run to lead the offense.

The first game was much more wild, as the Lakers (30-7) won 14-12 in a game Givens said his team “won ugly.”

Cole Tonnemacher hit his 14th home run of the season, and went 3-4 with three RBIs to lead the Lakers’ offense. Cramer added a triple and two RBIs, Halpin ripped three hits and drove in three, and Corey Neer added three hits and two RBIs in a game where every run mattered.

Tonnemacher ran his record on the season to 12-4 by throwing four innings in relief of Cramer, striking out seven while giving up eight runs. The sweep earned the Lakers a first round bye in the seven-team district tournament, which starts on Wednesday in Moscow. The championship has the Lakers burgeoning with confidence.

“The kids are excited. In two and a half months of playing, it shows the consistency,” described Givens of the title. “I don’t remember the last time a Sandpoint team won the league.”

The Lakers’ doubleheader against St. Maries, scheduled for Saturday evening, has been canceled due to lack of players. The Lakers will host Coeur d’Alene in the home finale on Monday night, with first pitch slated for 6 p.m. at War Memorial Field.