NI Lakers 19U finish 2-2 at Whitefish tourney
Koch throws out a pitch against the Glacier Twins during the Whitefish tournament in Whitefish, Montana.
(Photo courtesy KC MACDONALD)
WHITEFISH, MONT — Following two losses to open up the Whitefish tournament in Whitefish, Montana on Thursday and Friday, the NI Lakers 19U legion baseball team finished out the tournament 2-0 with wins on Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, the Lakers breezed by the Spokane Cannons 10-1, and on Sunday, they faced off against the Libby Loggers 18U for the third time in eight days, winning this time around 9-3.
During Saturday's game against the Cannons, the Lakers hopped out to a 7-1 after the first two innings.
In the top of the first, Avery Bocksch hit a two-run homer deep into right field, scoring Finn Mellander to give the Lakers (11-9) a 3-0 lead.
During the top of the second, Mellander would score again following a dropped third strike to extend the Lakers lead 4-0.
Zeke Roop extended the lead following an RBI single into center field that scored Cameron Garcia.
The final runs of the inning were scored by a two-run RBI single from Ethan Butler that scored Roop and Bocksch.
Jack Ringer got the start on the mound and pitched three innings giving up one run on two hits, striking out one.
Bocksch finished the final two innings, giving up no runs on no hits and striking out zero batters.
In its final game of the tournament against the Libby Loggers 18U, the NI Lakers 19U ended the first inning with a 3-1 lead.
The Lakers' first run was scored following a Bocksch sacrifice fly that scored Garcia.
The next at bat, Bocksch hit an RBI single into center field to score MacDonald, giving the Lakers a 2-1 lead.
Mellander scored the final run of the inning following a Libby error.
Mellander notched an RBI the following inning with a hit into center field that scored Garcia to give the Lakers a 4-1 advantage.
The Loggers attempted to comeback during the top of the third, scoring two runs to make the score 3-4, but the Lakers would add two more runs during the bottom half of the inning to extend its lead.
Four pitchers saw the mound for the Lakers during its game against the Loggers, with MacDonald getting the start.
MacDonald pitched two innings giving up one run off, one hit, and striking out two.
Roop came in during the third and threw 20 pitches, striking out one batter.
Bocksch pitched in the fourth and fifth innings giving up no runs on two hits, and striking out two.
Alex Leveich finished the game, striking out two batters.
The NI Lakers 19U will next play the Northern Lakes Mountaineers at 3 p.m today.