Post Falls Juniors win state

Kurtis Wiltse scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball in the top of the seventh inning as Post Falls edged North Boise 9-8 on Saturday to capture the Little League Juniors (age 13-14) state baseball championship at Brett James Field in Post Falls.

Post Falls won the best-of-3 series two games to none, and advances to the regional tournament in Laguna Niguel, Calif., beginning Aug. 3.

Aaron Smith went 3 for 4 with two runs, two RBIs and two stolen bases for Post Falls, and Nate Gomer was 2 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs.

"Unbelievable," Post Falls coach Chad Davenport said.

At McDermott Park in Meridian, Hayden Red beat West Valley of Boise 12-4 to square their best-of-3 series for the age 9-10 title at one game apiece. They'll play the deciding game today at 9 a.m. PDT.

Jayce Bailey, Mikey Kelley and Jackson Sumner each hit two-run doubles in a seven-run second inning for Hayden. Sumner also struck out eight in 4 2/3 innings.

In the bottom of the fourth, West Valley loaded the bases with one out. Brady Thompson of Hayden caught a fly ball in center field and threw home to catcher Carter Friesz for the inning-ending double play.

"He (Thompson) could not have walked the ball in there and put it in the catcher's glove any better - it was a perfect throw," Hayden coach Scott Peterson said.

Playing first base in the third inning, Friesz was part of another double play - shortstop to first on the groundout, then first to third to nail the runner trying to advance from second.

North Idaho's other two teams in the state playoffs were swept on Saturday.

In the Majors (age 11-12) tournament, Coeur d'Alene lost 11-4 to North Boise, which won the series two games to none. No report was received from Coeur d'Alene.

In the age 10-11 tourney, Post Falls lost to Northwest Ada for the second straight day, this time 10-0. R.J. Clancy and Jake Pfennigs had hits for Post Falls.