Legion 16U team starts season with a sweep

SANDPOINT — The 16U American Legion Sandpoint VeriFunds.net Dawgs kicked off the pre-season with a three-game sweep against Northern Lakes and Libby, Mont., this past weekend. 

Defensively, the Dawgs gave up only one run in the series on four hits, seven walks and 27 strikeouts in 15 innings of play. Tyrone Larson, Garrett Connolly, Thomas Riley, Tristan Authier and Austin Greene all made appearances on the hill.

When told he did well for his first appearance of the season, rookie pitcher Tristan Authier replied by saying “with our defense, how could I not do well.”

Offensively, the Dawgs scored 53 runs on 34 hits in 12 innings, led by the hot bat of Alex Christensen. “Big Papi,” as he is known to his teammates, picked up 13 RBIs in the series with a single, three doubles and home runs in each of the three games.

In game one Christensen picked up a two run homer in the first inning, hit a three run homer in the second game and a two run shot in the third game. When asked what advice he had for younger players wanting to improve upon their hitting mechanics, Christensen replied by saying “be disciplined at the plate, stay long through the hitting zone and finish high.”

The Dawgs host North Central on Monday and Colville on Tuesday, at 5:30 p.m. at Pine St. Field.