Riley, MacDonald, Bottomley combine for no-hitter at Legion district tournament
(Photo by BILL ANTHONY PHOTOGRAPHY) Lakers’ shortstop Billy Brackett, left, attempts to tag out a Coeur d’Alene base stealer in the Lakers’ 5-4 loss on Saturday at War Memorial Field.
SANDPOINT — Even though they just missed out on advancing to the state tournament, there were plenty of highlights for the Peak Sand and Gravel Lakers at the recent American Legion Single A District Tournament at War Memorial Field, including a combined no-hitter.
The Lakers finished the season 15-9 after a 10-1 loss to the Coeur d’Alene Lumbermen (35-14) in the championship game on Sunday. Walks and hit batters proved costly, as a taxed pitching staff was playing its fourth game in three days in the six-team, double elimination tournament.
The highlight of the tournament came when Thomas Riley, Kade MacDonald and Sydney Bottomley combined on a no-hitter in a 14-0 pasting of Orofino in the consolation bracket on Saturday night. The Lakers’ showed no hangover after a tough 5-4 loss to the Lumbermen earlier in the day, bouncing back to extend their season another day.
Riley worked 2 and 1/3 innings, MacDonald 1 and 2/3 innings and Sydney Bottomley one inning in the no-hitter. Riley was also a factor at the plate, scoring four runs and swiping three bases, following a strong game against the Lumbermen where he scored three times and pitched four plus innings of stellar relief.
Bottomley added two RBIs, Tyrone Larson, Tyler Shaffer and Garrett Connolly each scored twice, Caleb Davis added two hits and Connolly ripped ground-rule double over the right field fence in the win.
Coeur d’Alene will represent the district at the state tournament.