Lums 17U fall in regional opener

EUGENE, Ore. — Carter Friesz hit a two-run home run in the top of the third inning for the Coeur d’Alene Lumbermen, but the Cody (Wyo.) Cubs took the lead for good in the bottom of the fifth inning in a 4-3 win in the opening round of the Northwest Class A Regional American Legion baseball tournament on Friday at Swede Johnson Stadium.

“It was a good ballgame,” Coeur d’Alene coach Pat Capone said. “We outhit them 9-5, but we didn’t get that clutch, timely hit and also didn’t make the routine play enough. And that was the difference in the game.”

Elijah Somaha also had an RBI sacrific fly in the third inning for Coeur d’Alene (47-12), which faces the Nampa Braves in a loser-out game today at 9:30 a.m.

Jordan Wasia had two of five hits for Cody, driving in two runs.

Friesz struck out six in six innings for Coeur d’Alene.

“Carter threw a really, really good game,” Capone said. “He picked a great day to have his best game of the year.”

Last weekend, Coeur d’Alene beat the Nampa Braves twice, winning 5-0 and again 5-4 to win the Idaho state title at Rodeo Park.

Unlike at state last weekend, regional games are 9 innings instead of the 7 innings the team played during the regular season and district play.

“It kind of turns the game from a sprint into a jog,” Capone said. “But at this point, it doesn’t matter who you play. If we focus on us and get back to having good approaches at the plate, we’ll come out OK.”