Bottomley home run leads Lakers over Lewiston

(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Sydney Bottomley laced this pitch to the gap in right center, using plus speed to turn it into a home run.

(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Jacob Cometto checks on the runner in the North Idaho U19 Legion home finale on Wednesday at War Memorial Field.

| July 14, 2017 1:00 AM

(Photo by ERIC PLUMMER) Jacob Cometto checks on the runner in the North Idaho U19 Legion home finale on Wednesday at War Memorial Field.

SANDPOINT — Sydney Bottomley hit an inside-the-park home run to back a strong pitching performance from Jacob Cometto, leading the Peak Sand and Gravel Lakers to a 12-2 win over Lewiston in the opening game of an American Legion U19 baseball doubleheader Wednesday night at War Memorial Field.

Thomas Riley finished with six hits in two games, including a double, but after ripping 18 hits in the opener the North Idaho team finished with eight hits in an 8-2 loss in the nightcap.

Bottomley provided a highlight when he scalded a ball deep into the right-center gap, bouncing up against the brand new bleachers as the Lewiston outfielders gave chase. Bottomley was running hard right out of the box, and scored standing up for a three-run shot.

Nick Holland got the win and Jacob Cometto the save game one, while Thomas Riley was credited with the loss in game two.

Tyler Lehman went 3 for 6 on the day, Wes Holland had a triple and Preson Pettit a double, and Nick Holland, Billy Brackett, Tyrone Larson and Caleb Edlund each had a pair of hits in the split, which ran the North Idaho team’s record to 16-6 on the year.

The team wraps up regular season play on Saturday at Lewiston, where they hope to secure the No. 2 seed going into the district tourney, which starts on July 20.

Head coach Ken Oler and the team wished to thank the local fans for coming out and supporting them Wednesday night.