Everything is starting to get better for SHS baseball

The Sandpoint baseball team ended its 2022 campaign by winning the consolation championship at the Class 4A Idaho state baseball tournament.

During the run, the Bulldogs also won its first game at the state tournament since 2007.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” Sandpoint baseball coach Chase Tigert said. “It’s one thing to win up north; it's another thing to win in the state tournament. It was an incredible experience for them.”

Sandpoint ended the state tournament 2-1, with its only loss coming in the opening round to eventual state champions Bishop Kelly.

This was the second year in a row that the Bulldogs drew the state champions in the opening round. This time against the Knights, they were one bad inning away from possibly knocking them out.

“It’s a tough pill to swallow,” Tigert said. “If we’re going to lose to anyone, I want to lose to the best. We were right there with them for four innings.”

After the dust settled in Boise, the Bulldogs announced they had eight players on the all-league team. Tigert also received an all-league nod as coach of the year for the fourth time in five years.

“It’s great to get some recognition, but I truly do it for the community and the kids,” Tigert said. “I’m hoping we move in the right direction and inspire the little leaguers in the community. I want them to know that they can play at Sandpoint High School and be successful.”

Both Auggie and Drew Lehman were recognized as all-leaguers. Auggie earned league MVP honors and Drew won newcomer of the year.

The Lehman family has been instrumental to Sandpoint’s turnaround on the baseball field, according to Tigert.

“It started with Tyler (Lehman) in 2017,” Tigert said. “He came out his freshman year and was lights out on the mound for us. He got us to our first state appearance in 11 years. Auggie and Drew won our first state tournament game in 14 years.”

Drew Lehman hit from the leadoff spot during the state tournament, which is a huge accomplishment for the freshman.

“When he started his first game at shortstop, it was just like ‘boom’ we found our shortstop,” Tigert said. “He hit a bit of a rough patch in the middle of the season, but at the end of the year against 4A opponents he was really impressive.”

Austin Dillon, Colin Roos, and Jack Ringer spent time on the mound for the Bulldogs during the state tournament, and all three of them earned all-league honors.

Dillon pitched a complete game against Bonneville, allowing two runs on six hits, striking out three.

“(Austin) Dillon started out of the pen at the beginning of the season but found himself in the starting rotation,” Tigert said. “He never looked back. He threw four complete games and won each time.”

Roos pitched four innings against Bishop Kelly and allowed two runs on five hits, striking out seven and, most importantly, gave the Bulldogs every chance to win the game.

“He started all year long for us,” Tigert said. “He really settled into his role in the middle of the year and gave us a chance to win every time he was on the hill.”

Typically, the 4A Inland Empire League only recognizes three pitchers as a part of their all-league team, but Tigert really pushed for senior Ringer to be honored.

“I think he contributed a lot more than he really realizes,” Tigert said. “His overall ERA was not indicative of how well he threw this season. He really settled into the pen and threw a complete game against Lakeland to get us the number one seed at the district tournament.”

Sandpoint designated hitter Finn Mellander also notched all-league honors. The sophomore battled for his spot in the lineup, earning every hit he got as a member of the Bulldogs baseball team.

“We had a talk before the season and I told him that I saw a lot of potential,” Tigert said. “I asked him where he wanted to be. I said if you want to fight tooth and nail to get some at-bats, you can play varsity or you can stay on JV and be the man.”

He took Tigert’s invitation to join the varsity squad. He hardly got any at-bats during the first eight games, but all of a sudden, an opportunity presented itself.

“He got his opportunity and hit the ball hard,” Tigert said. “He got another one and got another hit, and not that much later he found himself in the starting lineup.”

Not only is it a big deal that Mellander was able to earn his spot this year, but he’ll be back next year to help those who are in a similar situation.

“This year will be a huge confidence booster for him, but next year he will be the mentor,” Tigert said. “That’s a big blessing for him and the team moving forward.”

For every Mellander on the Bulldogs baseball team, there’s an Ethan Butler or Auggie Lehman who will be graduating. However, their impact on the team will be felt.

“Both of them have been with me for the last four years,” Tigert said. “For them to see the progression over the last four years with all the ups and downs, it was awesome for them to go out and get some hardware. They left a huge mark on the program.”

However, most of Sandpoint’s lineup will be back for the 2023 season.

“We’re realistically bringing back six out of our nine starters,” Tigert said. “We’re also hoping to have Cody Newhart back next year. This year we won the consolidation championship; next year, we’re going to have an opportunity to win the whole thing.”