Lums start fast, beat Nampa Braves

LEWISTON — Coeur d’Alene Lumbermen coach Erik Karns called it the best game his team had played all season.

With 11 straight runs to open the game, it’s tough to argue with that.

Trent Elstad drove in three runs and four others had two RBIs each for the Lumbermen in an 11-1 win over the Nampa Braves in the second round of the state Class A tournament on Thursday at Harris Field.

“It was a big win for the boys,” Karns said. “It was easily our best game of the season. The guys were very relaxed and had great approaches at the plate.”

Jake Brown, Marcus Manzardo, Alex Karns and Wade Mallory had two RBIs each for Coeur d’Alene (38-15), which faces Burley tonight at 7.

“We had some big two-out RBIs,” Erik Karns said. “We just hit the ball well in good hitters counts and put a lot of pressure on them.”

Alex Karns allowed six hits over five innings, striking out four in the win.

“I was proud of how the boys played today,” Erik Karns said. “It was a great effort all the way around. We just put it together today.”