SHS baseball learns a lot from sweep
Collin Roos throws a pitch against Bonners Ferry at Memorial Field.
The Sandpoint baseball team was on the receiving end of a sweep on Saturday by Lewiston High School at Memorial Field.
The Bengals defeated the Bulldogs 4-1, 9-6.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs left Memorial Field with their heads held high.
“This is the best we’ve played all year,” Sandpoint High School baseball coach Chase Tigert said. “We came out and played with intensity, which is something I’ve been looking for all year. Today was a huge step forward for us.”
Sandpoint held a 4-2 lead over Lewiston following the bottom of the third inning in the nightcap — but Lewiston was quick to respond with a two-run inning during the top of the fourth to tie the game.
After an Auggie Lehman score in the bottom of the fifth, Sandpoint retook the lead 6-5.
“(Auggie) Lehman did a great job,” Tigert said. “He’s back from being out for two weeks with an ankle injury.”
Lehman also started on the mound for Sandpoint. He went four innings, allowing four runs and striking out one.
Lewiston brought home two runners during the top of the sixth to take its lead back 7-6.
The Bengals held the Bulldogs scoreless in the bottom of the sixth to keep a one-run lead. Lewiston loaded the bases in the top of the seventh. Zeke Roop walked back-to-back batters resulting in Lewiston scoring two runs before the final out of the inning.
Once Sandpoint went up to bat, it loaded the bags with two outs when Austin Dillion came up to bat.
Lewiston pitcher Cruz Hepburn struck out Dillion to complete the sweep.
“We had an hour-long conversation yesterday at practice about the mental side of baseball,” Tigert said. “The kids are grasping the idea of what it takes to be resilient and compete.”
The pitching staff also gained some confidence back. The five pitchers combined for eight strikeouts.
“Their arms were the best that I’ve seen all year,” Tigert said. “We flashed signs of our potential.”
Senior Ethan Butler hit Sandpoint’s first home run of the season in the bottom of the third inning
“It couldn’t have happened to a better kid,” Tigert said. “He’s always working. He’s put a ton of work in for the team. I'm really proud of him.”
Sandpoint fell to 2-9 overall and will next play Moscow on Tuesday, April 26.
GAME ONE
LEWISTON 101 001 1 — 4 6 1
SANDPOINT 000 001 0 — 1 3 3
Killian Fox and Jake Ferger. Colin Roos, Jack Ringer (5), and Kohlton Wagoner.
HITS: LEW — Edminson, Bensching, Barden, Fox, Kolb. SPT — Zimmerman, Dillon, Sherrill. 2B — Fox, Edminson, Sherrill.
GAME TWO
LEWISTON 200 212 2 — 9 10
SANDPOINT 112 020 0 — 6 4 0
Carson Kolb, Cruz Hepburn (6), and James McCoy. Auggie Lehman, Jack Ringer (5), Zeke Roop (7) and Kohlton Wagoner.
HITS: LEW — Edminson 2, Hepburn 3, Fox, Kolb 3, Massey. SPT — Zimmerman, Butler 2, Turner. HR — Butler.