Timberlake routs Spartans for state berth

| May 12, 2018 1:00 AM

SPIRIT LAKE — Logan McDonald had three hits and five runs batted in, including a three-run double in the bottom of the fifth inning to send the Timberlake Tigers to a 15-2 win over the Priest River Spartans in the 3A District 1 second-place game on Friday at Timberlake High.

Timberlake (14-7) advances to the state 3A tournament starting next Thursday at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore., facing Marsh Valley in the opening round at 3 p.m. PST.

“Logan had a really nice day today,” Timberlake coach Cameron Knigge said. “Louis (Powell) played great defense in center field, made an extension catch and diving catch that really sparked our defense. He robbed them of a couple of hits that could have gotten them started. We played great team baseball.”

Gage Benefield walked twice and scored three runs and Jack McDonald scored two runs for Timberlake, which went 1-2 at state last year in Knigge’s first year as coach.

Priest River 200 00 — 2 2 4

Timberlake 150 36 — 15 12 1

Coal Stevens and Cameron Reeves; Logan McDonald and Seth Villanpando. W — L. McDonald. L — Stevens.

HITS: PR — Stevens, Rogers. TL — Powell, J. McDonald, Villanpando, L. McDonald 3, James 2, Privitt, Drake 2, Benefield. 2B — Stevens, L. McDonald.