Viks Split Despite Errors Of Their Plays

Defensive breakdowns are creating concern for Coeur d’Alene High School baseball coach Paul Mather - not to mention team morale.

Through 11 games, the Vikings have committed a whopping 49 errors.

Eleven of those miscues occurred in Thursday’s Inland Empire League doubleheader at McEuen Field, as Coeur d’Alene salvaged a split with Post Falls.

The Vikings led 9-4 going into the top of the seventh inning in the opener and escaped with a 9-7 win after center fielder Brett Hollenbeck rallied the Trojans with a two-out, three-run home run.

Post Falls rode the pitching of senior Ryan Kempton to an 8-2 win in the late game. The right-hander threw a sixhitter, struck out eight and walked three.

The Trojans again received an offensive boost with two outs in the seventh. Catcher Ryan Ries’ two-run, 360-foot homer to center keyed a four-run burst.

Coeur d’Alene loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, but stranded the runners thanks to a diving, shoestring catch by right fielder Mike McKeown.

“That was a super catch to just close the door on us; a nice play finished it off,” Mather said. “That’s another example of what Ryan Kempton does to that team.

“We’ve got the bases loaded and the guys we want at the plate,” Mather added. “Kempton, to his credit, competed a little harder than we did. I think if you look at the first game and then when he’s on the mound, they’re a different team. That’s a real leader.”

Kempton, considered Idaho’s top high school pitcher, improved to 3-3.

“It’s the first time I really saw (Kempton) excited about pitching,” Trojans coach John Petoello said. “He had a little more velocity than his first couple outings.”

Coeur d’Alene left-hander Jeff Anstine was the winner in the first game, giving up nine hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.

“We talked about (the errors),” Mather said. “In the first game we were outhitting them, but we’re not making the plays in the field, which allows them to play with us.

“The fielding is a definite concern,” Mather added. “It’s not one or two players, it’s a team thing.”

Coeur d’Alene moved to 2-2 in league and 7-4 overall. Post Falls is 3-3 and 4-6.

Both teams return to IEL play Saturday. Sandpoint (2-4, 5-6) visits Coeur d’Alene. The Trojans entertain league-leader Lewiston (5-1, 9-4).