STATE HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: A familiar feel to opener for Vikings, T-Wolves

5A

Third-seeded Lake City did everything possible to put itself into the best situation it could for a return to the state 5A championship game.

Coeur d'Alene, the sixth seed, bounced back twice from a setback in the regional title game to the Timberwolves on May 7.

As fate has it, they'll face off for a sixth time this season tonight in the opening round at 5:30 p.m. PST at Wolfe Field in Caldwell on the campus of College of Idaho.

"We know we're going to get a good matchup early on," said fifth-year Coeur d'Alene coach Erik Karns, whose team is at state for the third straight time. "We know Lake City is going to put a good pitcher up on the mound, and we know those boys as well. The big thing for us will be to play loose and not let the stage get to them."

Lake City, which has won four of the five matchups thus far, is at state for the second straight year.

"For us, all we've got to do is win three straight," second-year Lake City coach Mike Criswell said. "It doesn't matter if it's Coeur d'Alene, the Dodgers or Yankees, we've got to find a way to win three. We're just going to leave it on the field for sure. I think we've got a lot of reserve in the tank. We're fully healthy and I think we're set up really well. Coeur d'Alene is going to come at us with their guy, and it's going to be a great game. Everyone is going to stay and watch because it's the last game of the day. It's going to be an incredible atmosphere."

Owyhee, the defending champion, is the second seed and opens at state against seventh-seeded Highland of Pocatello, the that winner facing the Coeur d'Alene/Lake City winner in the semifinals.

"We're happy we made it this far," Karns said. "Now, it's time to step up and see what we can do."

Top-seeded Eagle (21-3), winners of the District 3 tournament, open against eighth seeded Mountain View (16-10). Middleton (21-6), the fifth seed, faces fourth-seeded Rocky Mountain (17-8) in the first game today at 9 a.m.

Both Coeur d'Alene and Lake City have wins over Rocky Mountain, with the Timberwolves splitting games with Highland earlier this season in Meridian.

3A

The Timberlake Tigers are making their second straight trip to state, and 10th since 2010.

But the Tigers have just one trophy to show for it — a consolation title in 2013.

Timberlake has played a trophy eight times in that span, including the consolation crown in each of their last four trips.

Led by senior pitchers Caden Robinett (6-2, 0.865 ERA) and Grant Allaway, this could be the year that changes.

“Caden and Grant, I would put up against any 1-2 combo in the state,” third-year Timberlake coach Bryce Johnson.

Allaway is hitting .385, senior Cooper Lenz .358 for the Tigers.

All three freshmen have stepped in and made key contributions. Ryker Brennan started the year as a floater, and is now the starting center fielder. Nate Beardsall has done nicely at catcher, and Gage Haines had an RBI single to beat Bonners Ferry last week at districts.

“They’ve all had their moments,” Johnson said. 

Timberlake (12-9-1), the sixth seed, opens vs. No. 3 Fruitland (17-6) in the first round today at 12:30 p.m. PDT at Northwest Nazarene University’s Elmore Vail Field in Nampa.

Timberlake lost 5-4 to Fruitland at the Bill Betts Tournament in Fruitland in mid-March.

And Timberlake beat Sugar-Salem, the No. 2 seed, 6-1 the day before at the Fruitland tourney.

“I think there’s a comfort factor there,” Johnson said.

4A

Moscow (17-7), which advanced to state for the second straight year by sweeping Sandpoint in a best-of-3 regional championship series, opens with Minico today at Vallivue High in Caldwell.

The Bears, who went 0-2 at state in 2023, have won 10 straight games.

Pocatello (16-10), the defending champion, is seeded sixth and faces No. 3 seed Blackfoot (22-5) in their opener.

2A

Defending champion Malad (14-8) opens with District 1-2 runner-up Grangeville (21-4) today at Halliwell Park in Pocatello.

Orofino (22-2) faces Firth (16-11) today at 11:30 a.m.

The Maniacs finished third in last year's tournament in Orofino.