LEGION BASEBALL: Prairie opens with pair of losses

POST FALLS — The Prairie Cardinals class AA American Legion baseball team lost 16-1 to the Spokane Dodgers and 11-4 to the Spokane Crew on Friday as they opened their season at the Eastside Memorial Tournament at Post Falls High.

Against the Dodgers, Prairie’s lone run came on an RBI groundout by Jerrett Plunkett that scored Dusty Weeks.

“We came out a little nervous and tight in the first game of the season, committing four errors that led to 12 unearned runs,” second-year Prairie coach Brian Fowler said.

Fowler praised the work of Sheldon Sloane, who pitched two strong innings of relief in his AA debut.

Against the Crew, Jared Porter had a hit and an RBI for Prairie.

“I was happy with the way our team battled from start to finish in this game,” Fowler said. “We did a good job of manufacturing runs on offense and minimizing damage on defense. Our biggest problem was that our pitchers walked or hit 16 batters and it is tough to win when you give away that many free bases.”

Prairie continues tourney play today vs. the Seattle Bombers at 5:30 at Post Falls High.

DODGERS 16, PRAIRIE 1

Spokane Dodgers 904 03 — 16 10 0

Prairie 100 00 — 1 4 4

Steele and Buer; Jerrett Plunkett, Sheldon Sloan (4) and Dusty Weeks. W — Steele. L — Plunkett (0-1).

HITS: SD — Chapman, Albrecht 5, Sumner, Buer, Bacon. Pra — Weeks, Benson, Lebsock, Buck. 2B — Albrecht, Buer. HR — Sumner.

CREW 11, PRAIRIE 4

Prairie 211 000 0 — 4 3 2

Spokane Crew 230 150 x — 11 6 1

Jared Porter, Matt Fleming (5), Brandon Busch (6) and Jerrett Plunkett; Stottlemyre, Gingerich (7) and Van Wormer. W — Stottlemyre. L — Porter (0-1).

HITS: Pra — Weeks, Benson, Porter. SC — Edwards, Pars, Hirai, Hamilton 2, Degeest. 2B — Benson.