PREP BASEBALL: Shutout propels Lakeland to state

RATHDRUM — Andrew Neilson singled in Joe Strietzel, and Jared McDaniel scored Max Baker on a sacrifice fly as the Lakeland Hawks shut out the Sandpoint Bulldogs 2-0 to win the 4A Region 1 title on Tuesday at Gorton Field.

“What a great game,” Lakeland coach Jason Bradbury said. “Both teams played great and played error-free baseball. This is exactly how you’d want a championship game to be played.”

Strietzel allowed one hit in 1 2/3 innings of relief to get the save for Lakeland (10-13), which faces the District 4 runner-up to open the state tournament next Thursday in Twin Falls.

Sandpoint (9-14) moves on to a state play-in game on Saturday in Lewiston against the third-place team from District 3.

Sandpoint 000 000 0 — 0 6 0

Lakeland 000 020 x — 2 7 0

Patrick Kummer, Talon Dewey (5) and Nick Holland; Chris Schilling, Joe Strietzel (6) and Dylan Bradbury. W — Schilling. L — Kummer. S — Strietzel.

HITS: Spt — Oliver, Sundquist, N. Holland, Norris, Dewey, W. Holland. LL — Pote, Baker 2, Neilson 2, Blood, Strietzel. 2B — Sundquist, Neilson.

Bonners Ferry 9

Timberlake 2

BONNERS FERRY — Vince Bennett, named Intermountain League Most Valuable Player following the game, struck out four and walked one as the Badgers took advantage of five errors to beat the Tigers in the 3A District 1 championship game.

Bonners Ferry (22-2) will face the District 6 champion to open the state 3A tournament next Thursday at Elks Memorial Field in Ontario, Ore.

Timberlake (10-13) will host Priest River on Thursday in the district second-place game.

“It was a tough day today,” first-year Timberlake coach Matt George said. “We gave up five runs on four passed balls and wild pitches. We hit the ball hard all game, but Bonners played great defense. They just do not make mistakes. You have to beat them. They’re not going to beat themselves.”

Timberlake 100 001 0 — 2 4 5

Bonners Ferry 210 213 x — 9 3 1

Braxton Tonkin, Jerrett Plunkett (2), Dock Sommers (6), Seth Villanpando (6) and Villanpando, McDonald (6); Bennett and Gray. W — Bennett. L — Tonkin.

HITS: TL — Galloway, Villanpando, Plunkett, Hauck. BF — Bateman, Bennett, Sabin. 3B — Bateman.

Orofino 1

St. Maries 0, 10 inn.

OROFINO — Orofino advanced to the state 2A tournament with a 1-0 win over the St. Maries Lumberjacks in the 2A District 1-2 title game.

Earlier, Orofino rallied to eliminate Grangeville 8-7 and St. Maries beat Grangeville in the opening game.

St. Maries (8-9) will face the third-place team from District 3 in a state play-in game Saturday.