Larson tosses gem to extend Bulldogs' season

RATHDRUM — In a way, it’s the perfect scenario for both Sandpoint and Lakeland baseball teams.

Win, and you’re on to state.

Lose, and you’re staying home.

Tyrone Larson struck out six over 6 1/3 scoreless innings for the Bulldogs in a 4-0 win over the Hawks at Gorton Field on Wednesday, forcing a deciding Game 3 in the best-of-3 4A Region 1 tournament on Friday at War Memorial Field.

“Tyrone, you’ve got to hand it to him, he pitched a great game,” Lakeland coach Jason Bradbury said. “You could see, our guys were off-balanced all day long. He was working both sides of the plate, both up and down and really did a good job.”

Sandpoint (11-6) scored on a fielder’s choice and a two-run error to take a 3-0 lead after the second inning. Alex Stockton had two hits, and Trey Flint hit an RBI double in the fifth inning to cap the scoring in another pitcher’s duel.

Lakeland (13-14) had three hits on the day, two by Braden Gifford.

“We just didn’t hit,” Bradbury said. “We gave up a couple of runs off an error that hurt us, but ultimately the difference was that we didn’t hit the baseball.”

Lakeland and Sandpoint have split the six games they’ve played this season. Lakeland eliminated Moscow in a loser-out game Monday, then beat Sandpoint in the first game, stealing homefield advantage for Wednesday’s game.

“It’s the reason we wanted to go to a best-of-3 series,” Bradbury said. “So that one person can’t beat you. Now we’ll find out who the best team is. Those guys produced when they needed to. We didn’t. We had guys on base in most every inning, but didn’t get the timely hit. That’s why you want the best-of-3 series so you can regroup, play again, and change the tone.”

Larson, who ran his record to a perfect 4-0 on the season, and reliever Preston Pettit combined to strike out seven in the game.

“You can’t ask for anything better out of the pitchers we had today,” Tigert said. “Tyrone, to go 6 1/3 shutout innings, and really be dominant, and Preston Pettit to come in at a higher pressure situation, it was incredible.”

Friday’s matchup will have a lot riding on it, as the two teams will battle for the lone state berth in one of the best baseball venues anywhere.

Tigert is hoping his team is ready to rise to the occasion and punch its ticket to state.

“The message today was to trust yourself,” Tigert said. “Just be confident and understand that we’re prepared and have worked all year on this and be confident in yourselves.”

First pitch in the deciding game is 4 p.m. Friday at War Memorial Field.

Sandpoint 030 010 0 — 4 5 1

Lakeland 000 000 0 — 0 3 2

Tyrone Larson, Preston Pettit (7) and Hunter Donahoe; Ezra Grigg, Vanner Hegbloom (6) and Colton Aragon. W ­— Larson (4-0). L — Grigg.

HITS: Spt — Stockton 2, Lehman, Flint, Riley. LL — Gifford 2, Grigg. 2B — Stockton, Flint.