Only One Way To State Competitive Inland Empire League Baseball Teams Get Just One Berth To Tournament

The Inland Empire League proved more than worthy of its two berths to the State A-1 baseball tournament last year.

For the first time since Coeur d’Alene High split in half and Lake City opened in 1994 - and the first time in a major sport - baseball teams from both city schools advanced to state.

Both won first-round games, extending the hope for a showdown in a trophy game.

Coeur d’Alene reached the championship final before falling to powerhouse Boise. Lake City’s Cinderella ride ended in a loss to Idaho Falls in the third-place game.

The league’s state allotment, in two-year rotation, shrivels to one this year.

Too bad. It comes when at least three of the five teams are serious contenders for the berth and the others could be capable of an upset or two.

The coaches can’t settle on a favorite, but CdA and Lewiston were mentioned most often.

That’s fine with both coaches.

“Defensively and offensively, we’ll be as good as I’ve had,” said Lewiston coach Tom Grunenfelder, whose team won a state title three years ago. “If our pitchers come through and throw strikes, we’ll be tough.”

Said Coeur d’Alene’s Brian Holgate: “I don’t think there’s a clear-cut favorite. I think it’s going to be an even league. A couple of good teams will be staying home.”

After finishing last its first two seasons, LC peaked late to reach state. Timberwolves coach Cory Bridges expects his team to challenge again.

“I see a real tight league; I don’t see anybody dominating,” Bridges said.

The state tournament will be held May 14-16 in Nampa and Caldwell.

It was an all-Intermountain League final in the State A-2 championship game last year as Lakeland collected a second straight title with a thrilling win over Moscow. Lakeland has captured three state titles in the past five years.

It wouldn’t surprise IML coaches if the league’s two qualifiers meet for the state title again.

But for that to happen, the district runner-up will have to win a playoff with District III. The league lost its second full berth for a year when Orofino opted to play in A-3.

The league will regain the berth next year when Orofino and Grangeville advance from A-3 to A-2.

St. Maries coach Jeff Andersen sees his team battling the league’s elite.

“I think we’ve got a chance to get there (state),” Andersen said. “And if we do, who knows? This league obviously has done well at state in recent years. Offensively, this is as good as any I’ve had. But we have some other questions.”

Lakeland returns one of the state’s best arms in senior right-hander Kurt Reese (21-0 career).

Reese, St. Maries senior catcher/pitcher D.J. Eberlin and Moscow senior right-handed pitcher Josh Yarno are considered draft prospects.

The state tournament is May 14-16 at Meridian.

A-3 Wallace is the lone school outside of A-1 and A-2 to field a team in the Panhandle after Lakeside dropped its program. To get to state, the Miners must beat the fourth-place team from District II in a playoff May 9. State will be played May 14-16 at Orofino.

, DataTimes