Sandpoint Legion team hosts home opener today

SANDPOINT — The boys of summer are back in action today when the Peak Sand and Gravel Lakers host Priest River in an American Legion home opening doubleheader at War Memorial Field. First pitch for game one is 5 p.m.

Leading the way will be a pair of experienced players in Sam Nitcy and Caleb Nishimoto. The two will lead a younger core group of players at the single A level this season, splitting time at first base and logging most of the innings on the mound.

“Hopefully the younger guys will go under their wing,” said head coach Mike Givens, who was happy to field a Legion team after a one-year hiatus. “The kids are having fun and learning. We’re behind offensively, but we’ll get caught up. They’re working hard, and they’re getting better.”

While the league is for players 19 and under, many on the Sandpoint team are much younger. Joining Nitcy and Nishimoto on the pitching staff are Tyler Newton, Sydney Bottomley and John Humrich, all players new to Legion.

Other position players will include infielders Jackson Russo, Logan Magro and Kaleb Merrill, and outfielders Gage Becker, Kyle Perry, Malachi Smith and Justin Dunkel. Handling the catching duties will be Paul Sundquist and Alex Feyen.

Assisting Mitchell will be former Legion head coach Rick Klontz, along with five volunteer coaches in Hans Feyen Sr., Hans Feyen Jr., Scott Snow, Tevin Hamilton and John Nishimoto.

“Getting these other coaches involved is important, it gives the kids more one-on-one time,” said Givens, who has a successful track record working with Klontz. “We know each other like the back of our hands, which is great.”