AA Lakers storm back in ninth to win Church Tournament
LEWISTON, Idaho — After being down 8-2 heading into the final frame, the Kalispell AA Lakers plated six runs before Andre Cephers scored on a passed ball to walk-off the Benz Boys and won the championship at the Dwight Church Memorial Tournament Sunday.
The Lakers went undefeated in the tournament, winning four-straight games, two of them against Benz after completing late game rallies.
In the seventh inning comeback, nine-straight Lakers (21-8) reached base without recording an out with three walks and two hit-by-pitches. Oscar Kallis and Cephers collected RBI base hits before a bases loaded 2-run single by pinch-hitter Carter Schlegel plated the tying run. Cephers advanced to third on the hit and scored on a passed ball the next at-bat.
“We had 3-4 clutch hits in the seventh inning, including Schlegel’s pinch hit two-run single,” Lakers coach Ryan Malmin said. “We grinded through some adversity despite some key injuries and had guys step up in big ways as they were plugged into the game.”
Arlo Copony started for Benz (7-3) and shut down the Lakers offense for five innings, allowing three hits, one earned one, five walks and striking out eight. The Lakers plated their second run of the game in the sixth inning off relief pitcher Aiden Jones, before plating five more runs in the seventh to end Jones’ night.
Cephers led the Lakers with two hits, an RBI and a run scored. Schlegel drove in two runs on his only at-bat of the game. Kallis and Hunter Fann each scored twice and drove in a run.
Bryce Buckmaster started the game for the Lakers, lasting just one inning with one earned run and two walks. Malmin had to find Buckmaster’s replacement as he left the game with an injury. Buckmaster had a sub 1.00 ERA in 50 innings prior to this start.
“We were on our heels a good chunk of the game as we had to pull Bryce Buckmaster from his start on the mound,” Malmin said.
Kyler Croft pitched the bulk of the innings, giving up 13 hits, seven earned runs and striking out one. Kaeden Kahler earned the win after pitching a scoreless seventh inning.
Benz Boys 033 020 0 - 8 14 0
Kalispell 000 101 7 - 9 7 0
Arlo Copony (5), Aiden Jones, Zach Swanson (6), and Kellen Wood. Bryce Buckmaster (1), Kyler Croft (6), Kaeden Kahler (7), and Brady Buckmaster.
BENZ BOYS — Jake Rolling 1-4, Eddie Dahle 1-3, Liam Ostrom 0-1, Teegan O’Brien 1-3, Brody Whitcomb 1-3, Kellen Wood 1-4, Owen Mangini 3-4, Tristan Pulliam 0-2, Kaden Castro 0-1, Aiden Michael 4-4, Brandon Stone 2-4.
KALISPELL AA LAKERS — Ostyn Brennan 1-2, Luke Nikunen 0-3, Kahler 0-3, Kallis 1-3, Fann 0-2, Cole Brink 0-1, Cephers 2-4, Brady Buckmaster 1-2, Schlegel 1-1, Teegan Dixon 1-3.
2B — Michael Stone. Brennan. 3B — Mangini. RBIs — Mangini 3, Michael 2, Pulliam, Rolling, Stone. Schlegel 2, Brady Buckmaster, Brink, Cephers, Dixon, Fann, Kallis.