Hawks down Bulldogs in league opener

SANDPOINT — Jesse Marks tossed a one-hitter, and Jeremy McKinney had four hits and scored three runs to lead Lakeland to a decisive 13-0 win over Sandpoint in the 4A Inland Empire League opener on Tuesday at Pine St. Field.

Evan Johnson had three hits, including a scalded double, as the Hawks (6-1, 1-0 4A IEL) scored five first inning runs and banged out 15 hits.

“We’re trying to be patient at the plate, see the ball deep,” said Hawks coach Jason Bradbury. “Jeremy and Evan hit some nice shots.”

Justin Puryear had a single and stolen base to lead the Bulldogs (0-7, 0-1 4A IEL), who continue to look for offense from a young lineup. Head coach Chris Young praised the play of a few of his new varsity players in Nate Stengel, Paul Sundquist and Michael Plaster.

“We brought up Nate and for the first time on varsity he did well,” said Young. “I thought Michael Plaster did a great job in relief.”

The Bulldogs travel south to face the Bears in a big 4A North battle.

Lakeland   531 22 — 13   15   0

Sandpoint  000 00 —  0    1    4

Jesse Marks and James Prockish; Nik Feyen, Michael Plaster (4) and Paul Sundquist. W — Marks. L — Feyen (0-4).

Hits: LL — Jackson 2, Ceballos, McKinney 4, Carr 2, Johnson 3, Prockish, Wrotenberg, Bruner. Spt — Puryear. 2B — McKinney, Johnson.