North Idaho Legion team opens districts today

SANDPOINT — The Peak Sand and Gravel Lakers posted a respectable 21-10 record this season, finishing 16-8 in league play to earn the No. 3 seed in the U19 American Legion Regional Tournament, which starts today in Coeur d’Alene.

The North Idaho legion team wrapped up the regular season by getting swept 4-1 and 7-4 by No. 4 seed Lewiston, a team they had previously beaten via the 10 run rule. Missing two starters to injury, manager Ken Oler said the team simply had an off day.

“I think the last few weeks were a good wake up call for us going into districts,” said Oler, who feels his team can beat anyone in the seven team tourney, including No. 1 seed Northern Lakes. “If you look at our last three doubleheaders prior to last weekend, we 10 runned our opponents, including Lewiston, in game one two out of three showings, and should have 10 runned Northern Lakes with an 8-2 lead a few weeks ago. Game two we have been coming out flat and the results speak for themselves.”

Oler said the timing of the recent losses couldn’t be better, helping his team re-focus and realize they have to give 100 percent each and every game no matter the opponent or record.

“Our team goals right now include winning five out of seven innings, win districts and advance to state,” said Oler. “Going into districts we are confident but not taking anyone for granted. We have beat every team in our division, including the top seed Northern Lakes twice, which includes a championship win at the Big Bucks tournament earlier this season.”

North Idaho has also beaten No. 2 seed Coeur d’Alene three times, and is 3-1 on the season with first round foe Moscow, the No. 6 seed. But seeds are just a number in a double elimination tournament, where everyone starts 0-0 in the quest to get to state.

First pitch is today at 4:30 p.m. against Moscow. All games are at Thorco field, behind the Kroc center off Ramsey road.