COLLEGE NOTEBOOK: Lucky 7’s for left-handed Lucas
Jantzen Lucas, Lewis-Clark State College Baseball
A 2020 graduate of Priest River High, Jantzen pitched a career-high seven innings, giving up just five hits and one earned run while striking out a tied for career-high seven batters to clinch his seventh win of the season, tied for the most wins in the conference, in a 5-3 Cascade Collegiate Conference tournament win over top-ranked (No. 24 in the nation) British Columbia this past Saturday, May 3. The southpaw, who now has a 4.13 season ERA across 56.2 innings to go along with 48 strikeouts (2.66:1 K/BB), helped propel the Warriors to the conference championship game, in which they won by a score of 7-6 over the Thunderbirds in walk-off fashion on Sunday. Lewis-Clark State (35-14) will prepare next for the opening round of the NAIA national tournament, in which they will be a host site for from Monday, May 12, to Thursday, May 15, at Harris Field in Lewiston. The Avista NAIA World Series is set be held Friday, May 23, through Saturday, May 31, also at Harris Field.
Austin Dillon, Yakima Valley College Baseball
A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Austin was dealing in a 5-2 home win over Treasure Valley (Ontario, Ore.) this past Saturday, May 3, pitching a nine-inning complete game, the first of his career, giving up nine hits, two earned runs and a walk while striking out nine batters. The redshirt freshman now holds a 5-3 win-loss record and 4.59 season ERA to go along with 65 strikeouts across 66.2 innings pitched (3.42:1 K/BB) — the 65 strikeouts ranks as 10th in the entire NWAC and the 66.2 innings pitched ranks as sixth. The Yaks (23-21), which are on a four-game win streak, will host Spokane for a doubleheader Wednesday, May 7, and wrap up the regular season with another doubleheader at Spokane on Saturday, May 10.
Evan Williams, Tabor College Baseball
A 2021 graduate of Sandpoint High, Evan recently pitched two quality starts in the span of four days during the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament. During a 14-2 win over No. 4 York University (York, Neb.) on Thursday, May 1, the right-hander threw a seven-inning complete game, giving up just four hits, one earned run and two walks while striking out eight batters. In the KCAC Championship match this past Sunday, May 4, in which the Blue Jays fell 7-4 to Kanas Wesleyan (Salina, Kan.), Evan pitched 5.2 innings, giving up five hits, two earned runs and two walks while striking out six batters. Across 82 innings this season, the former Bulldog standout now has a 4.83 ERA and 113 strikeouts (3.32:1 K/BB), which ranks as first in the conference and fourth in the entire NAIA. Tabor, which holds a 32-21 record, now rests its postseason fate in the hands of the NAIA selection committee, which will announce 15 at-large bids at 2 p.m. today.
Forest Ambridge, Southern Virginia University Lacrosse
A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Forest posted a caused turnover in each of the Knights' last two USA South Conference tournament games, the most recent of which Southern Virginia (9-9) lost 20-4 in the semifinals to Pfeiffer University (Misenheimer, N.C.), which ended their season. The former IHSLL All-State Second Team midfielder ended his breakthrough sophomore campaign with eight goals, seven assists, 23 groundballs, six caused turnovers, and was 29-for-78 inside the faceoff circle across 17 appearances, including one start.
Jack Zimmerman, Lassen College Baseball
A 2023 graduate of Sandpoint High, Jack went a combined 2-for-6 with two runs scored, a double, two RBI and a walk in the last two games of a best-of-three series with Marin (Kentfield, Calif.) in the opening round of 3C2A Regionals this past Thursday, May 1, and Friday, May 2. The Cougars dropped the series, officially ending their season at 27-15-1. A left-handed outfielder, the former Bulldog star was named to the All-Golden Valley Conference Second Team for his efforts this season, posting a slash line of .333/.456/.475 across 99 at-bats and 40 games played to go along with 33 hits, including 14 doubles, 24 runs scored, 21 RBI, 16 walks and eight stolen bases.
Jett Longanecker, College of Idaho Track & Field
A 2024 graduate of Sandpoint High, Jett ran a new collegiate best in the 400-meter dash, finishing 17th out of 23 with a time of 52.05 seconds at the Bengal Invitational hosted by Idaho State University this past Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3. The former 4A (now 5A) state medalist also continued his streak of sub-2 minute 800-meter runs, placing 13th out of 20 in the event with a time of 1:58.73. In addition to that, he was part of the College of Idaho's 4x400 relay that finished fourth with a time of 3:18.58, which ranks as No. 2 all-time in school history. The Yotes will compete at the Cascade Collegiate Conference Championships, set to be hosted by Southern Oregon University (Ashland, Ore.) this upcoming Friday and Saturday.
Marley Burgess-Duquette, Wenatchee Valley College Soccer
A 2024 graduate of Priest River High, Marley was named to Dean's List for the 2025 winter semester. In order to achieve this distinction at Wenatchee Valley College, students must earn a grade point average of 3.5 while taking at least 12 college-level credits.
Austin Dillon
Evan Williams
Forest Ambridge
Jack Zimmerman
Jett Longanecker
Marley Burgess-Duquette