Bulldogs earn No. 1 seed at district tourney
(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Sandpoint junior right fielder Alex Stockton makes a diving catch in the first game, as the Bulldogs secured the No. 1 seed and first round bye at districts, which start on Monday.
SANDPOINT — A seven run third inning was crucial in the first game, as the Bulldogs won 7-6 to earn the coveted No. 1 seed at districts in a 4A Inland Empire League baseball doubleheader split against the Hawks on Friday at War Memorial Field.
Billy Brackett had three RBIs and Trey Flint two for the Bulldogs (10-5, 5-3 4A IEL) in the opener, helping seal a first round bye and home field advantage in the district tournament, which starts on Monday in Sandpoint.
The Bulldogs scored all seven runs in a huge third inning, as the Hawks (11-13, 2-6 4A IEL) put up zeros in the other frames to nearly pull off the win. Sandpoint head coach Chase Tigert was asked what stood out about the big win.
“How much potential our offense has. When the switch is flipped, we’re unstoppable,” said Tigert, casting an eye to Monday. “Moscow and Lakeland are going to battle. The No. 1 seed is nice, but it doesn’t mean anything. We need to get to state, and if we do that, we’ll make a run at a state title this year.”
Preston Pettit picked up the win in relief of Tyron Larson in the opener, tossing four strong innings in relief to close out the game.
Tristan Clift scored three runs and stole four bases in the opener for Lakeland, which made things interesting in the seventh inning before a rally ended with a 5-4-3 double play to end the game.
In game two, Ezra Grigg and Max Baker logged some quality innings, helping Lakeland win 10-7 in the ninth inning.
No. 2 Moscow and No. 3 Lakeland will play a loser-out game to start the 4A Region 1 baseball tournament on Monday at 3 p.m. at War Memorial Field in Sandpoint, with the winner advancing to face No. 1 seed Sandpoint at 5 p.m. in the first of a best-of-three series, with the winner advancing to state. The second game will be held on Wednesday at the highest seed, with a third game on Friday, if necessary.
Game 1
Lakeland 103 000 2 — 6 7 1
Sandpoint 007 000 x — 7 7 0
Tyrone Larson, Preston Pettit (3) and Hunter Donahoe; Tristan Clift, Braden Gifford (3) and Logan Siegford. W — Pettit (2-2). L — Clift.
HITS: LL — Clift 2, Gifford, Aragon 2, Moen, Taylor. Spt — Lehman, Flint, Larson, Cometto, Brackett, Riley 2.
Game 2
Lakeland 120 021 103 — 10 8 2
Sandpoint 000 061 000 — 7 10 0
Ezra Grigg, Max Baker (6), Dylan Bradbury (9) and Colton Aragon; Thomas Riley, Tyler Lehman (3), Tyler Shaffer (5), Billy Brackett (6), Tristan Authier (9) and Connor Dodd. W — Baker. L — Brackett (0-1). S — Bradbury.
HITS: LL — Baker, Bradbury, Taylor, Gifford, Aragon 2, Moen, Dennison. Spt — Shaffer 2, Stockton 2, Flint, Larson 2, Brackett, Dodd, Pettit. 2B — Baker, Bradbury, Gifford, Dennison, Dodd, Shaffer. 3B — Brackett.