CDA'S ALLIES TROOPS MARCH ON IN LEGION

American Legion

The Alliance Title Allies of Coeur d'Alene proved why they are district champions of North Idaho boys legion baseball.

Shut out Saturday in the opening round of the Idaho American Legion AA Tournament, the Allies' bats came alive Sunday, smashing 20 hits in their 12-5 win over rival and district runnerup Prairie Cardinals of Post Falls at Harris Field in Lewiston.

The loss eliminates Prairie, which ends its season at 32-24. The Allies (35-20) will play the Caldwell Silver Streaks, which eliminated the Pocatello Runnin' Rebels 8-7 Sunday. The game is at noon today at Harris Field.

A win would advance the Coeur d'Alene team to a second game Monday at 7 p.m. The championship game is slated for Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Designated hitter Andy Gore went 5 for 6, including two doubles. Catcher Brad Ross reached based six times on four hits to lead the Alliance Title.

The Allies put across four runs in the top of the eighth to take an 11-0 lead as they were looking at eliminating the Cardinals on the 10-run rule. But Prairie came up with three runs in the bottom of the inning.

Allies pitcher Ryan Holland held Prairie to six hits in seven innings. The Cardinals went through three pitchers in the eighth inning and found ways to score off pitcher miscues, including walks, a wild pitch and a hit batsman.

Prairie, which was shutout in its opening game, added two more runs in the ninth. The Allies added another run in the same inning for the final score .

"Everybody was nice and loose and relaxed today," Allies coach Tracy Turrell said. "We did it."

The Allies sent eight batters to the plate in the first inning and scored two runs on two hits and three walks. Lones runs came in the third and fourth innings and three more were added in the fifth on five hits. Chad Keefer had three singles for the Allies. Robert Crain, Sean Moglia, Kory Wilson, and Jacob Lenz each had two hits.

Starting Prairie pitcher Jason Thomas was relieved by Noel Horton in the fifth. Mike Banks pitched the last four outs for the Cardinals.

Nine Prairie batters succeeded with hits. Bobby Jenks led Prairie with two hits. The only extra-base hit was a double by Chase Williams.

For the Allies, Brad Gore came in relief in the eight, but only got one out before loading the bases. Brian Bell Jr., came to the mound next, but a walk and a wild pitch allowed two Prairie runs and forced a new Allies pitcher.

Moglia loaded the bases again on a walk and then forced in another run when Pat Eberlin was hit by a pitch. Don Cypher struck out to end th inning.

Alliance Title 12, Prairie 5

Alliance Title 201 130 041 - 12 20 1

Prairie 000 000 032 - 5 10 5

Holland, B. Gore (7), Bell (7) Moglia (8) and Ross. Thomas, Horton (5), Banks (8) and McMillen. Hits: Allies--Keefer 3, Crain 2, Moglia 2, Gore 5, Ross 4, Wilson 2, Lenz 2. Cardinals-- Phelps, Felton, McMillen, Jenks 2, Dockter, Banks, Williams, Eberlin, Adams. 2B-- Gore 2, Ross, Williams.

Copyright 1999 Cowles Publishing Company
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