Lake City, St. Maries fall in state play-in games

LEWISTON — Lake City’s bid to go from the Region 1 third seed to the state tournament came up short with a 7-3 loss to the Capital Eagles of Boise in a state 5A play-in game at Church Field on Saturday.

“We had our chances, but it was just one of those games,” Lake City coach Paul Manzardo said. “I’m proud of our kids. They battled back, and to be a game away from state, I’m proud of how they competed.”

Due to recent season-ending injuries to seniors Bennett Cunningham and Conner Conigliaro, Lake City had only three seniors on the field Saturday — Bridger Rinaldi, Brock Sween and Harrison Reid.

“We played quite a few juniors and sophomores,” Manzardo said. “They got some valuable experience coming back for next year.”

Rinaldi singled to score Dylan Brum to cut the deficit to 4-3 in the top of the fifth, but Capital answered with a three-run sixth to put the game away.

Rinaldi struck out five in five innings for Lake City, which commited five errors.

“Bridger gave us a chance to get a win and did everything he could,” Manzardo said. “It just wasn’t our day unfortunately. Our kids worked hard, but Capital was just a little better today.”

Lake City finishes 9-13.

Capital (13-16) will open state against Highland (19-6-1) of Pocatello on Thursday at Memorial Stadium in Boise.

Lake City 000 120 0 — 3 4 5

Capital 301 003 x — 7 7 1

Bridger Rinaldi, Alex Feek (6), Ryan Rios (6) and Brock Sween; Ferguson, Horner (5) and C. Leaf. W — Ferguson. L — Rinaldi.

HITS: LC — Rinaldi, Reid, Smith, Brum. Cap — C. Leaf, Reed, Berg, Ruhl 2, Graening, Malloy. 2B — Ruhl. 3B — Reid, C. Leaf.

Cole Valley Chr. 7

St. Maries 2

OROFINO — The Chargers of Meridian eliminated the Lumberjacks in a state 2A play-in game at Orofino High.

Cole Boag scored on a double steal, then Tyler Lohman singled to score Shaun Anderson to give St. Maries a 2-0 lead after the second inning.

St. Maries finishes 9-5.

Lawson Hammon had two RBIs for Cole Valley Christian (19-4), which advances to the state 2A tournament to face Nampa Christian (20-5) in the first round on Thursday back at Orofino High.

St. Maries 020 000 0 — 2 7 5

C.V. Christian 000 043 x — 7 4 2

Shaun Anderson, Ethan Hill (4), Jacob Hills (6), Kaden Hammond (6) and Cade Truscott; Micah Ferguson and Noah Owens. W — Ferguson. L — Hill.

HITS: SM — Larson 2, Villa, Brusseau, Boag 2, Lohman. CVC — Ferguson, Dwanch 2, Harmon. 3B — Dwanch.