LEGION BASEBALL: Lums knock off rust to beat Missoula

COEUR d’ALENE — Stepping onto the field for the first time since June 23, Coeur d’Alene ‘AA’ coach Paul Manzardo wasn’t quite sure what to expect with Wednesday’s game at Thorco Field.

Errors, not on this day.

Competing at a high level, definitely.

Jackson Scherr and Breyson Coppess drove in two runs each for the Lumbermen in a 9-6 win over the Missoula Mavericks, the program’s first game since June 23 after positive COVID-19 tests put a halt to the season. Due to rising cases in the area, the Idaho Legion baseball season was canceled, but some teams have opted to continue to play travel ball teams or non-Idaho legion programs.

“We competed well,” Coeur d’Alene coach Paul Manzardo said. “We didn’t know what to expect after a 2 1/2 week layoff. We practiced Monday and Tuesday, but for our first game back in two weeks, we played hard.”

Coeur d’Alene took the lead for good in the bottom of the third on a two-run double by Scherr to score Quinn Conces and Alex Karns. Karns, Troy Shepard and Liam Paddack combined to strike out nine.

“All three guys that pitched came in and battled,” Manzardo said. “At times, they got hit hard, but they just kept battling and got through it. We played good defense and hit the ball really well for not seeing live pitching for a few weeks. I was really happy with the kids.”

Missoula beat Coeur d’Alene 18-1 in a tournament game in Bozeman, Mont., on June 13.

“Missoula is a good team,” Manzardo said. “The last time we played them, they beat us pretty good. But we responded today. It’s a great win for our program.”

Coeur d’Alene (9-9) will face the Spokane Cannons at Sportsman’s Park in Post Falls in a single game starting at 11 a.m.

Missoula 120 003 0 — 6 10 3

Coeur d’Alene 103 140 x — 9 9 0

Bay, Ceitel (3), Dill (5) and Clausen; Alex Karns, Troy Shepard (5), Liam Paddack (6) and Jackson Scherr. W — Karns. L — Ceitel. S — Paddack.

HITS: Miss — Johnson, Markovich 3, Frazer 3, Kirgan, Palmer, Stevens. Cd’A — Conces, Manzardo 2, Shepard, Scherr 2, Childers, Coppess, Paddack. 2B — Kirgan, Markovich, Palmer, Coppess, Paddack, Scherr. HR — Frazer.

Northern Lakes takes two on Wednesday

RATHDRUM — Jack McDonald struck out seven in the opener for the Mountaineers in a win over the Spokane Expos (Red) at Lakeland High.

Northern Lakes scored 11 runs in the first inning against the Spokane Expos Red.

“We got after it early on and started off really hot,” Northern Lakes coach Bryce Johnson said. “Jack pitched phenomenal and is starting to get into midseason form. He’s starting to find his groove and it was a really good outing for him.”

In the nightcap, Jaret Taylor singled in a two-strike count to score two runs as Northern Lakes rallied in the bottom of the seventh inning to down the Spokane Expos Blue team.

“Jaret came up big for us again,” Johnson said. “We were able to get some runs when we needed them. The kids were scrappy and found a way to get on base.”

Northern Lakes (15-5) will face the Coeur d’Alene AA team in a single game at Lakeland High on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

FIRST GAME

Expos Red 000 02 — 2 3 0

N. Lakes (11)00 01 — 12 8 3

Game called with 1 out in the bottom of the fifth inning due to 10-run rule.

Dawson, Riggan (2), Tibbetts (5) and Reynolds; Jack McDonald and Louis Powell. W — McDonald. L — Dawson.

HITS: Spo — Harsen, Riggan, Mallory. NL — McDonald 2, Taylor 2, Clift, Tr. Vandever, Potte 2. 2B — Pote, Taylor. 3B — Clift, Pote.

SECOND GAME

Expos Blue 011 001 0 — 3 10 4

N. Lakes 000 110 2 — 4 10 0

One out when winning run scored.

Madroff, Lehardt (3), Lundmark (5), Schuman (6) and Patrick; Jaret Taylor, Tristan Clift (6) and Colton Aragon. W — Clift. L — Schuman.

HITS: Spo — Vandever 2, Lucas, Lundmark, Schuman 2, Patrick, Madroff 3. NL — McDonald 2, Powell 2, Taylor, Aragon, Schaffner, Drake, Balavage, Pote. 2B — Schuman, Madroff.