Lakers' season ends with loss to Nampa

BURLEY — The Peak Sand and Gravel Lakers out-hit and out-pitched Nampa, but unfortunately could not out-score Nampa, falling 3-1 in extra innings on Friday at the American Legion “A” State Tournament in Burley.

The Lakers (33-11) smacked eight base hits to Nampa’s five and advanced plenty of base runners into scoring position, but could not knock them in, stranding 11 base runners in the second loss of the double-elimination tournament.

“We couldn’t get the key hit. In the sixth and seventh innings we had runners on second and third and couldn’t get them in; that hurt big-time,” said head coach Mike Givens, lauding his team for a great season. “We’ve had clutch guys come up big all year. I don’t want it (the loss) to put a damper on a great season.”

Cole Tonnemacher pitched nine innings of five-hit baseball, holding Nampa to one run for the first eight innings before finally allowing two in the ninth. The Lakers played great defense behind their ace, making all of the routine plays as the ball was put in play often, but the hard-luck loss ran Tonnemacher’s record on the season to 13-6.

“Cole was fantastic,” said Givens. “He got ahead in the count and didn’t walk anybody.”

Jordan Hammack smacked a double and was the lone Laker with two hits, and Corey Neer drove in his team’s only run. Tyler Gordon, Joel Cramer, Tonnemacher, Sam Nitcy and Ryan Schwartz each added a single in defeat.

The Lakers ran into some solid pitching in Burley, scoring just four runs in the two losses, after scoring double digits in more games than not this season. They won the Wooden Bat Tournament, and were also the regular season league champs.