Gordon, Cramer power Lakers to blowout win

MOSCOW — The No. 1 seed Peak Sand and Gravel Lakers got on early wake up call in the first game of the American Legion District Tournament Thursday in Moscow.

The Lakers (32-7) fell behind 3-0 in the second inning against Silver Valley, before stepping up to the challenge and exploding for a whopping 13 runs in the bottom of the frame, all they would need to cruise to a 17-5 win.

Nick Halpin started the big inning off with a single, followed by a monster home run by Tyler Gordon, and things began to snowball from there.

“We almost batted around twice,” said assistant coach Curtiss Brown. “Gordon’s homer jump started it, we had some walks and timely hitting, and before you knew it there were 13 runs on the board.”

Joel Cramer continues to be a force at the top of the order, igniting an increasingly dangerous offense from the leadoff spot. He went 3-4, with a double and inside-the-park homer, and Jordan Hammack, Tevin Hamilton and Gordon each added two hits apiece in the slugfest.

“Everyone got an RBI in one shape or form,” said Brown of the batting order. “Once we got so high up they (Silver Valley) just kind of folded.”

Cole Tonnemacher picked up the win, as the crafty lefty ran his record on the mound this season to 13-4.

The Lakers await the winner of Moscow and Lewiston, which was still in progress at press time, at 7 p.m. tonight, with Tevin Hamilton getting the start for the Lakers. Only two of the seven teams will advance to the state tournament.