Unstoppable Eagles Qualify for District Tournament

The Lakeside Eagles "AA" American Legion baseball team enters district tournament play with momentum on their side from a five-game winning streak, closing out their regular season last week and clinching the regular season title for their division of Spokane American Legion Baseball. They will bring a 19-3 record into pool play on Wednesday, July 15, at Gonzaga Prep High School against the host squad and the Clarkston based Asotin County Blues, whom they defeated during the regular season.

The top two finishers in the pool will advance to play on Friday, July 17, with the top seed earning hosting rights. District play continues through Sunday, July 19, at University High School. The week began on July 7 at Rogers High School against the Hill- yard Diamond Stars. Lakeside scored in five of their seven at bats to methodically pull away for a 14-8 victory.

Sawyer Gardella drove in a team high four runs with a pair of doubles. He was joined by Kellen Paulson with two hits. Kai Benavidez was the Eagles winning pitcher, striking out five. He got help out of the bullpen from Maxx Clancy and Caleb Matiska. Austin Simonson walked three times and had two stolen bases as did David Zickler. Lakeside swiped seven bags in the contest. One night later, Jack Spring Field at West Valley High School was their destination, and they came away with a dominant 12-2 win.

Garella pitched a complete game totaling 10 strikeouts. He also drove in a pair of runs to con- tribute offensively. It took Lakeside just two innings to do their offensive damage, scoring seven in the fourth inning and adding five in the fifth. Matiska drew two of the Eagles’ eight free passes on an evening where they also stole six bases. Back on their home field on July 10, the Eagles scored early and often. Their offensive juggernaut posted all 20 of their runs in the first three innings against the Northeast 49ers. The visitors faced a large hill to climb after the home side plated nine runs in the opening frame and followed that with a seven run second inning.

Benavidez scored four runs, drove in four and had a pair of hits. Connor Fritz had three hits, while Simonson, Gardella, and Keegan Jenkins each added two. Jace Pinger and Matiska each walked twice as the team drew nine walks for the game and stole six bases. North Central visited Nine Mile on July 12 for the Eagles’ first of two contests to close out regular season play. Trailing 3-2, going to the bottom of the fifth inning, Lakeside would rally with seven runs over the next two frames en route to a 9-4 win.

Gardella had three hits including a double. Zickler did not have an official plate appearance, but reached base four times on being hit by pitches. Gardel- la, Clancy, Paulson, and Hudson Klein provided key hits in the fifth inning rally as the home side overtook the visiting Marmots. Clancy started on the mound and Simonson closed out the win.

The pair combined for seven strikeouts. The Palouse Patriots visited from Pullman for their second Sunday contest. After the visitors scored three in the top of the fourth, Lakeside answered with the final two tallies for a 5-3 triumph. Clancy had a pair of hits, as did Gardella, driving in a pair of runs. Gardella and Clancy had run-scoring singles to help the Eagles build their early advantage.

Klein and Pinger delivered run-scoring ground outs to put the home side on time to stay 5-3. Wood went the distance on the mound, recording eight strikeouts.