Sandpoint U10 All-Stars make noise at tourney

—Courtesy photo Graham Dunkel applies a tag at third base for the Sandpoint U10 All-Stars at the District Tournament.

—Courtesy photo Andrew Lehman was one of five Sandpoint batters to rip a triple in the six games.

| July 7, 2016 1:00 AM

Courtesy photo Andrew Lehman was one of five Sandpoint batters to rip a triple in the six games.

SANDPOINT — Even though they went 2-4, the Sandpoint U10 All-Star team managed to score 82 runs while allowing 86, and had a shot to win in all but one of the games in a strong showing recently at the District All-Star tournament.

Shane Sherrill hit an inside the park home run and a ground rule double, and was one of five Sandpoint players to lace a triple, joining Koby Barlow, Tyson Hodges, Andrew Lehman and Owen Bailey.

In another impressive stat, a whopping five batters finished with averages above .500 for the tournament, as the team had no problem scoring runs.

They picked up wins over Lewiston Purple and Coeur d’Alene Blue, and lost to the other Lewiston team by just two runs. Not too long ago, some of the younger Sandpoint All-Star teams lost some one-sided games, but this team joined the Majors squad in showing how far baseball has come in Sandpoint recently.

“I’m excited with the way Sandpoint baseball is going. Just a great group of coachable kids with a lot of talent,” said manager Rob Sherrill, who called the U10 offense impressive. “Once they start believing in themselves, they’ll be a really strong team. I’ve had a blast with all of them.”

Sherrill was joined by coaches Tye Barlow and Travis Tyler. Seven pitchers — Bailey, Graham Dunkel, Jorden Tyler, Barlow, Kaden Roraback, Lehman and Sherrill — logged innings in the pair of wins, which speaks to the pitching depth being developed.

Five of the players finished with a batting average of .500 or better, so you know they can rake.