Errors doom Lums in AA state opener
LEWISTON — The Coeur d’Alene Lumbermen nearly made it all the way back from an eight-run deficit Friday morning.
But a shaky start was too much for the Lums to overcome in an 8-5 loss to the Boise Capitals in the first round of the state class AA American Legion baseball tournament at Harris Field.
“Tough first inning there defensively, with three errors on the first three batters,” Coeur d’Alene coach Erik Karns said. “David (Kraak) pitched well; we didn’t back him up.”
Coeur d’Alene (31-16-1) will play the Rocky Mountain Avalanche (26-17) today at 10 a.m. in a loser-out game. Rocky Mountain lost to the Pocatello Runnin’ Rebels 3-0.
In the bottom of the first, the first three batters for the Capitals reached on infield errors. Back-to-back RBI singles made it 2-0 before the Lums could record an out.
Boise built an 8-0 lead after four innings, before Coeur d’Alene scored twice in the fifth on a balk and a bases-loaded walk.
In the seventh, Riley Smith walked for Coeur d’Alene and scored when Alex Karns drew a two-out bases-loaded walk. The next batter, Landen Thompson, lofted a pop fly some 15-20 feet in front of home plate. The Capitals’ pitcher, catcher, third baseman and first baseman surrounded the ball, but looking into the bright late-morning sun, none of them made the play and the ball dropped between them. Dylan Brum and Marcus Manzardo scored, and the Lums had two runners on with the tying run at the plate.
Boise brought in a second reliever, and after throwing three straight balls, came back to strike out the Lums’ batter to end the game.
“It’s frustrating to get down early; it’s tough to come back in games like that, against older teams,” Erik Karns said.
Capitals starter Ethan Harris, who has signed to pitch at College of Southern Idaho, struck out 11, walked four and allowed four hits in six innings in beating the Lums for the second time this season.
“He did a good job dictating the pace of play,” Karns said. “He’d get ahead in the count, then keep us off balance with his curveball.”
Thompson finished with two hits for the Lums.
Tanner Leaf, Jackson Reed and Ben Dudley each drove in two runs for the Capitals.
Cd’A 000 020 3 — 5 6 5
Capitals 212 300 x — 8 9 0
David Kraak, Peyton Childers (4), Brandon Gay (6) and Landen Thompson; Ethan Horner, Dominic Spiegel (7), Matt Ruhl (7) and John Brookins. W — Horner. L — Kraak.
HITS: Cd’A — Conces, Manzardo, Brown, Thompson 2, Coppess. Cap — T. Leaf 2, Reed 2, C. Leaf 2, Dudley, Berg, LeBlanc. 2B — Coppess, T. Leaf, Dudley, C. Leaf, LeBlanc.
CLASS AA STATE TOURNAMENT
At Harris Field, Lewiston
Friday’s Games
Boise Capitals 8, Coeur d’Alene Lumbermen 5
Pocatello Runnin’ Rebels 3, Rocky Mountain Avalanche 0
Nampa Chiefs 4, East Idaho Rockies 1
Idaho Falls Bandits 7, Lewis-Clark Twins 5
Saturday’s Games
Game 5 — Coeur d’Alene Lumbermen (31-16-1) vs. Rocky Mountain Avalanche (26-17), 10 a.m., loser out
Game 6 — East Idaho Rockies (19-26) vs. Lewis-Clark Twins (22-20), 1 p.m., loser out
Game 7 — Boise Capitals (22-12-1) vs. Pocatello Runnin’ Rebels (32-17), 4:30
Game 8 — Nampa Chiefs (23-11) vs. Idaho Falls Bandits (47-5-1), 7:30
Sunday’s Games
Game 9 — Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 7, 10 a.m.
Game 10 — Winner Game 5 vs. Loser Game 8, 1 p.m.
Game 11 — Winner Game 7 vs. Winner Game 8, 7
Monday’s Games
Game 12 — Winner Game 9 vs. Loser Game 11, 4:30 p.m.
Game 13 — Winner Game 10 vs. Winner Game 11, 7:30
Tuesday’s Games
Game 14 — Winner Game 12 vs. Winner Game 13, 1:30 p.m. (championship game)
Game 15 — Winner Game 14 vs. Loser Game 14, 4:30 (if-necessary game)