Sandpoint forces final showdown

RATHDRUM — In a way, it’s a dream scenario for both Sandpoint and Lakeland high school baseball teams.

Win, and you’re on to state.

Lose, and you’re staying home.

Tyrone Larson struck out six over 6 1/3 scoreless innings for the Bulldogs in a 4-0 win over the Hawks at Gorton Field on Wednesday, forcing a deciding Game 3 in the best-of-3 4A Region 1 tournament on Friday at Memorial Field in Sandpoint.

“Tyrone, you’ve got to hand it to him, he pitched a great game,” Lakeland coach Jason Bradbury said. “You could see, our guys were off-balance all day long. Combine that with an umpire that was calling low strikes. It wasn’t his fault, he’s always called it that way and we’ve got to make the adjustment. I give all the credit to Tyrone. He was working both sides of the plate, both up and down and really did a good job.”

Lakeland (13-14) had three hits on the day, two by Braden Gifford.

Sandpoint (11-6) scored on a fielder’s choice and a two-run error in the second inning to take a 3-0 lead.

“We just didn’t hit,” Bradbury said. “We gave up a couple of runs off an error that hurt us, but ultimately the difference was that we didn’t hit the baseball.”

Lakeland eliminated Moscow in a loser-out game, then beat Sandpoint in the first game, stealing home field advantage for Wednesday’s game. Sandpoint took it right back by winning Wednesday.

“It’s the reason we wanted to go to a best-of-3 series,” Bradbury said. “So that one person can’t beat you. Now we’ll find out who the best team is. Those guys produced when they needed to. We didn’t. We had guys on base in most every inning, but didn’t get the timely hit. That’s why you want the best-of-3 series so you can regroup, play again, and change the tone.”

Lakeland and Sandpoint have split the six games they’ve played this season.

“I told my guys, that’s what you dream about as a kid,” Bradbury said. “The last game of a series, being the hero, and I challenged them to be the hero. I challenged them to be the hero and get excited, because it’s an exciting time in their lives. Hopefully we can pick it up.”

Alex Stockton had two hits for Sandpoint, and Tyler Flint hit an RBI double in the fifth inning to cap the scoring.

“The message today was to trust yourself,” Sandpoint coach Chase Tigert said. “Just be confident and understand that we’re prepared and have worked all year on this and be confident in yourselves.”

Larson and reliever Preston Petit combined to strike out seven in the game.

“You can’t ask for anything better out of the pitchers we had today,” Tigert said. “Tyrone, to go 6 1/3 shutout innings, and really be dominant, and Preston Petit to come in at a higher pressure situation, it was incredible.”

Sandpoint 030 010 0 — 4 5 1

Lakeland 000 000 0 — 0 3 2

Tyrone Larson, Preston Petit (7) and Tyler Shaffer; Ezra Grigg, Vanner Hegbloom (6) and Colton Aragon. W ­— Larson. L — Grigg.

HITS: Spt — Stockton 2, Lehman, Flint, Riley. LL — Gifford 2, Grigg. 2B — Stockton, Flint.