Bulldogs split with Bears in league opener
—Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Sandpoint's Nick Holland runs over the Moscow catcher in a collision at home plate on Monday at War Memorial Field. Holland was ejected from the game for not sliding.
SANDPOINT — Tyrone Larson continues to post quality starts, leading the Bulldogs to a 5-1 win over the Bears in the opener of a doubleheader split during 4A Inland Empire baseball Monday at sun-soaked War Memorial Field.
Larson pitched five strong, before yielding to closer Talon Dewey, as the pair allowed just four hits in the game.
“Tyrone didn't have his best stuff today,” claimed Bulldogs head coach Scott Fitchett. “But he battled through it and threw strikes, let his defense work.”
Paul Sundquist had two hits, and Wes Holland ripped a triple, helping the Bulldogs (6-8, 1-1 4A IEL) plate five runs in the first two innings for all of the support they would need. Caiden Oliver and Davan Norris each scored twice in the win.
Patrick Kummer took the ball in the second game and held the Bears in check for five innings, before leaving with the bases loaded in the sixth, as the Bears finally broke through to score 10 runs in the final three frames and win the second game 11-5.
Caleb Edlund had three hits, Davan Norris two and Trey Flint smoked a laser to the gap in right center and legged out a triple to lead the Bulldogs, who pounded out 10 hits in the loss. Oliver, who has eight steals in the past four games, continues to ignite the offense on the base paths.
“He's just wreaking havoc on the bases,” said Fitchett, who would have loved the sweep but realizes they essentially held serve in league play. “We didn't gain any ground, but we're not worse off.”
The Bulldogs were swept by Post Falls over Spring Break, leading the opener by the score of 7-2 in the sixth inning before things fell apart in an 11-8 loss, followed by a 9-4 defeat in the nightcap. Even though they were swept, Fitchett liked how his team competed against a solid 5A program.
Sandpoint hosts 5A Lake City on Thursday, with first pitch at 4 p.m. at War Memorial Field.
n Game 1
Moscow 000 001 0 — 1 4 2
Sandpoint 230 000 X — 5 7 2
Tyrone Larson, Talon Dewey (5) and Nick Holland. W — Larson.
Spt hits: Edlund, Sundquist 2, Flint, Dewey, W. Holland, Norris. 3B — W. Holland.
n Game 2
Moscow 010 023 5 — 11 14 2
Sandpoint 000 410 0 — 5 10 0
Patrick Kummer, Bear Youngdahl (5), T.J. Davis (6) and Preston Pettit. L — Kummer.
Spt hits: Norris 2, Oliver, Pettit, Edlund 3, Sundquist, Flint, W. Holland. 3B — Flint.