Big inning propels Bulldogs past Hawks
SANDPOINT — The Bulldogs have been putting crooked numbers on the board all season, scoring runs in bunches when the batting order heats up and begins to click.
It happened again on Tuesday, as Ben Fisher hit a prodigious grand slam to cap a nine-run first inning and lead the Bulldogs to a 10-6 win over the Hawks in 4A Region 1 baseball tournament action at sunny War Memorial Field.
Fisher, who also picked up the win on the mound, smacked an opposite field home run several rows deep into the grandstands in right field, his second slam and third home run on the season.
“It was a shot,” described Sandpoint head coach Chris Young. “The only other time I’ve seen a ball hit there was Zac Manor in 2006, the year we won state.”
Eric Nikssarian had three hits to lead the No. 1 seed Bulldogs (13-7), who chased Lakeland starter Daniel Mobeck in the first inning with a handful of bases loaded walks, RBI singles from Nick Halpin and Daniel Charvoz and Fisher’s long ball.
“I was concerned getting that many runs in the first, it can be hard to stay focused,” said Young, who was proud his team found a way to finish. “We buckled down and stayed with it to get an important first win.”
Daniel Mobeck and Tyler Ogden each scored two runs for the No. 2 seed Hawks (10-11), who got five sharp innings of relief from Gaige Gray and chipped away at the lead, eventually bringing the tying run to the plate in their final at-bat.
“I knew it was early and we’ve been swinging the bats well,” said Hawks coach Jason Bradbury of the comeback attempt, lauding his team’s mindset. “They said let’s get a couple here and there, but it’s tough to come back from a 9-1 deficit. Hopefully we can take it one game at a time and get back up here.”
Tevin Hamilton relieved Fisher in the third inning, and held the Hawks in check until the seventh inning, when he lost command and loaded the bases. Patrick Anthony came in and struck out the side to quell the rally and earn the save.
Young had told his pitchers before the game if they didn’t throw strikes he would have a short hook, and was pleased with how Anthony came in and handled a tough situation.
“Pat did what needed to be done to get us out of there,” said Young, who also had high praise for the solid left field defense from Nick Halpin. “That kid plays left field the way it should be played; he sells out. It’s easy to pitch when you get that kind of defense behind you.”
The Bulldogs will host the winner of today’s loser-out game between Lakeland and No. 3 Moscow on Thursday, needing to win only once in the true double-elimination playoffs to earn the 4A North’s lone state berth.
Lakeland 103 100 1 — 6 4 4
Sandpoint 900 001 x —10 9 5
Daniel Mobeck, Gaige Gray (1) and Luke Howell; Ben Fisher, Tevin Hamilton (3), Patrick Anthony (7) and Eric Nikssarian. W — Fisher (2-0). L — Mobeck.
HITS: LL — Mobeck, Ogden, Vandever, Dietrich. Spt — Halpin, Fisher, Cramer, Charvoz 2, Nikssarian 3, Hamilton. 2B — Ogden. HR — Fisher.