Lakers' state run ends with loss to Othello

SPOKANE — What a season it was for the 16U North Idaho Lakers.

A 16-1-1 record in Spokane League play, a 15-game winning streak, a district title and a trip to state for the first time since 2018 — all milestones the Lakers achieved this summer.

It wasn't the ending North Idaho was hoping for, but head coach Ken Oler said the players should by no means be disappointed.

"Everybody is really proud of what the team has accomplished," he said.

The Lakers' journey at the Washington State A American Legion tournament came to an end on Tuesday at Genesis Prep with a loss to the Othello Red Raiders.

"Do we wish we would have moved on further this week? Absolutely, but in the end there's more to the experience than just the games. It's the growing, it's the life lessons," Oler said.

The Lakers fell 8-0 and were only able to muster two hits against the Red Raiders.

Othello scored three runs in the first and second inning to put North Idaho in an early 6-0 hole they could never dig out of.

Cole Sanroman started on the mound and Alex Leverich and Coleman Inge both made relief appearances. Leverich allowed three hits and two runs, both unearned, over four innings.

The Lakers were originally scheduled to play the Northern Lakes Mountaineers of Rathdrum in the loser-out game. However, the Mountaineers protested Monday's 7-2 loss to Othello because the Red Raiders used a pitcher that didn't have enough days off between appearances. Northern Lakes won its appeal and Othello moved to the loser-out game to face North Idaho.

Oler said the team wasn't bothered by the sudden change in opponents.

"We would have had to play Othello at some point," he said. "It didn't really matter to me who we were playing and it didn't change our gameplan."

The Red Raiders were a true 16U team with plenty of experience and after the game Oler said he made sure to remind his young team that they could be just like that in a couple more years.

"Othello was a strong team," he said. "They were a legit 16U team from top to bottom age-wise."

After getting knocked out of the state tourney, the Lakers got in one more team-bonding opportunity prior to departing Spokane. The team attended Tuesday night's Spokane Indians game against the Vancouver Canadians.

Overall, Oler said the team learned what to expect at the state level and the players are excited about their potential in the coming years.

The Lakers went 20-10-1 this summer. This season was special, Oler said, and every player contributed to their success. He's already looking forward to what's in store for next year.

"Things didn't go our way, but that's baseball," he said, "and at the same time we're all happy with what we accomplished this year, and we'll come back next year and keep growing."

North Idaho Lakers 000 000 0 — 0 2 3

Othello Red Raiders 330 020 X — 8 9 1

Cole Sanroman, Alex Leverich (2), Coleman Inge (6) and Gavin Day; Xzyan Martinez, Ezra Gonzalez (4), Jaxon Gomez (7) and Sonny Salazar.

HITS: NIL — A. Leverich, Co. Sanroman. O — Salazar 2, Delgado 2, Gomez 2, Ozuna, Gonzalez, X. Martinez. 2B — Gonzalez, Gomez.