Mike Lindgren Sandpoint Year: Junior Sport: Baseball Position: Pitcher

The Sandpoint High School baseball team is in second place in the Inland Empire League at the midway point of league play, and it’s largely because of Mike Lindgren’s right arm.

Lindgren recorded three league wins last week, his biggest coming Saturday when the Bulldogs not only beat Coeur d’Alene for the first time since the sport was revived in 1990, but also swept the Vikings.

He’s 4-1 overall, his loss coming in a season-opening game (4-2) at Lewiston after just three days of outdoor practice.

Lindgren, for good reason, is looking forward to his second chance against Lewiston when the Bengals visit Saturday.

“Not to make any excuses, but Mike was real sick when we played Lewiston the first time,” Sandpoint coach Dave Martinez said.

Lindgren was the top pitcher last spring and during the summer American Legion season at Sandpoint. But there’s very little comparison between Lindgren of last year and Lindgren of this year.

“His confidence has grown with every outing, actually every pitch,” Martinez said.

Lindgren said he’s confident every time he takes the mound.

“This year I have a defense that’s behind me,” he said. “Last year, I didn’t feel that way and I wasn’t confident.

“I’m getting ahead of the hitters and I’m not creating my own problems.”

It’s reflected in his statistics. He has a 2.12 ERA and has recorded 41 strikeouts in 29 2/3 innings.

He’s been a double blessing for Martinez. Lindgren starts at first base when he’s not on the mound, and he’s hitting .423 with 13 RBIs. He went 3 for 5 with a triple against Coeur d’Alene. He hit .078 in the summer.

“That’s something he struggled doing last year,” Martinez said. “Everybody knows that when (Ryan) Kempton pitches for Post Falls that team takes on a confident attitude. That’s happening for us now when Mike takes the mound.”

At 6 feet, 4 inches and 190 pounds, Lindgren is attracting the attention of college coaches.

He hopes to land a scholarship next year. If he keeps pitching the way he has, he might be able to pick the school he wants to attend.