Walks, errors, big innings doom Northern Lakes against Expos

RATHDRUM — The visiting Spokane Expos used a five-run fifth and a seven-run seventh to break open a close game, topping Northern Lakes 15-3 on Monday evening in American Legion baseball at Gorton Field.

Spokane scored two runs in the opening frame, but it could have been more. With Josh Lawson on first base, Expo Jace Phalen laced a double to center field, but the relay from Jack McDonald to Jaret Taylor to catcher Louis Powell cut down Lawson as he tried to score.

The Mountaineers tied the game on Colton Aragon’s two-run double in the third inning, then took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Sam Pemberton hit a leadoff double, took third on a ground out, then scored on a wild pitch to give Northern Lakes a 3-2 lead.

Unfortunately for the hosts, three walks, a sacrifice fly, an error and Garrett Gomes’ 3-run homer put Spokane back in front in the fifth inning, and it was all Expos from there.

Phalen went 3-for-4 with a double, home run and 4 RBIs for Spokane, whose hitters drew 11 walks in the game. Northern Lakes committed five errors.

McDonald had two of the Mountaineers’ six hits and scored a run, while Aragon had 2 RBIs for Northern Lakes (23-8).

Spokane Expos 200 051 7 — 15 11 0

Northern Lakes 002 100 x — 3 6 5

Burnett, Cross (4) and McKenna; Colton Aragon, Tristan Clift (5), Scott Pote (6) and Louis Powell. W — Burnett. L — Aragon.

HITS: Spo — Phelan 3, Lawson, Dryden, McKenna, Hainline, Gores, Day, Cross, Burnett; NL — McDonald 2, Taylor, Aragon, Pemberton, Ta. Vandever. 2B — Cross, Phelan, Burnett, Aragon, Pemberton. HR — Phelan, Gores.