Sundquist blast helps lead Sandpoint over Lewiston

MOSCOW — Another solid pitching performance, more great defense and a monster home run added up to another extra inning win for the Peak Sand and Gravel Lakers, who exploded for five runs in the eighth inning to beat Lewiston 7-2 on Friday in the second round of the American Legion District A tournament in Moscow.

After losing the previous three games against Lewiston this season, Sandpoint continued to ride a recent hot streak, backed by solid pitching from Walker Jacobson, who yielded just one earned run in four innings of work, and Wes Holland, who worked the final four innings to pick up the win.

“They did a great job commanding the strike zone,” described Fitchett of his pitchers. “They were able to work both sides of the plate, and didn’t have to go to off-speed (pitches).”

Sandpoint trailed 2-1 in the seventh inning, before Logan Magro scored the tying run on a Caleb Edlund sac fly. In the eighth, Jacobson and Wes Holland scored on bunt base hits by Nick Holland and Magro, before Paul Sundquist delivered the final dagger with a towering three run shot for the final margin.

“He just smoked it. He hit it as well as any ball he’s ever hit,” claimed Fitchett, noting it was the second fastball of the at-bat and Sundquist did not miss. “They threw him a fastball and he crushed it.”

Center fielder Kyle Perry used his plus speed to rob a couple of base hits in centerfield, and Edlund made a pair of web gems at short, as Sandpoint continued to bring the defense. Fitchett also praised the offensive spark of Levi Irish and Aaron Wolters.

The team is hitting a hot streak at the right time, following an extra inning win over Coeur d’Alene on Thursday with another rock-solid win over perennial baseball power Lewiston.

“It was just good baseball. We’ve finally got our full roster and everything is clicking,” described Fitchett, whose team has lost just twice in the last eight games. “Knowing we don’t have to do anything spectacular, just trust your training and the success will come.”

Sandpoint faces No. 1 seed and host team Moscow today at 1 p.m. in the semis, with the winner advancing to face the winner of Cd’A and Lakeland on Sunday in the championship.