PREP SOFTBALL: Vikings top Meridian for state bid

LEWISTON — And now with a little momentum, the Coeur d’Alene Viking softball team has punched a ticket to the state 5A softball tournament at Bonneville High in Idaho Falls.

Ashley Fernimen hit a two-run triple in the second inning as the Vikings beat the Meridian Warriors 5-3 in a play-in game on Saturday at Airport Park to advance to their sixth straight state tournament.

Breana Burke struck out nine, and also doubled and tripled for Coeur d’Alene (23-1), which faces Highland (24-3) of Pocatello in the opening round on Friday at 10 a.m. PDT.

“Meridian’s a really good team and was picked to win the league in District 3,” first-year Coeur d’Alene coach Darren Taylor said. “I don’t know how they ended up in that fifth spot, but they’re a great team. We played a good game and it was great to get a little momentum boost going into the state tournament.”

Miranda Amos had an RBI single in the fifth inning and Bailee Taylor had an RBI single in the second for Coeur d’Alene, which took a 5-1 lead after five innings.

Meridian finishes 21-8.

Coeur d’Alene 030 020 0 — 5 10 1

Meridian 100 002 0 — 3 5 3

Breana Burke and Miranda Amos; Miller and Gagnon. W — Burke (21-1). L — Miller.

HITS: Cd’A — Montee, Burke 3, Wilkey 2, Amos, Fernimen 2, Taylor. Mer — Desloover, Burke, Knaves, Gagnon 2. 2B — B. Burke. 3B — B. Burke, Fernminmen, Knaves, Gagnon.

Bishop Kelly 18

Lakeland 0

OROFINO — Gabi Harrington homered twice, including a grand slam in the sixth inning as the Knights beat the Hawks in a state 4A tournament play-in game at Orofino High.

Katie Kastning and Reilly Williams singled for Lakeland, which finishes 7-17.

Bishop Kelly 510 039 — 18 14 1

Lakeland 000 000 — 0 2 5

Game called after 6 innings due to 10-run rule.

Erica Baca, Hailey Sautebin (6) and unknown; Kari Prockish and MaRynda Pehrson. W — Baca. L — Prockish.

HITS: BK — Davidson 2, Lockhard, Harrington 3, Meyer 2, Lee 2, Kern 2, Atkins 2. LL — Kastning, Williams. 2B — Davidson. 3B — Lockhard, Lee. HR — Harrington 2.

Bonners Ferry 2

Payette 1

OROFINO — The Badgers, the District 1 runner-up, beat the Pirates to advance to the state 3A tournament starting on Friday at Ward Park in Pocatello.

Bonners Ferry will open against Homedale (23-2).

New Plymouth 13

Orofino 12

OROFINO — The Pilgrims eliminated the Central Idaho League champion Maniacs in a state 2A tournament play-in game.