Cda Downs Moscow To Snap Losing Streak

Brian Holgate didn’t broach the subject. His Coeur d’Alene High baseball team did.

Coming off three straight losses entering their Inland Empire League opener Tuesday, the Vikings wanted to issue a message.

It came through loud and clear as Coeur d’Alene sent Moscow home early, 12-1, in a run-rule shortened conference opener for both teams. The game also served as the Bears’ season opener.

“I didn’t even say it to them, but I heard them talking about sending a message,” Holgate said. “We lost three (straight). We know people are shooting for us. We had a couple of bad games, but it’s over and we’re ready to go now.”

The directive began with senior left-handed pitcher Kirk Gosch. Although he wasn’t overpowering, he was more than effective.

Gosch (2-1) struck out 11 and allowed just one hit in five innings. He was clocked as high as 88 miles per hour.

“We expect that from him,” said Holgate, whose team improved to 2-3.

Eight of nine Viks collected at least one hit. And the lone player who didn’t get a hit - sophomore Blake Whiteman - slapped a line drive to the second baseman, just missing a single.

“(Whiteman) has actually hit the ball well for us,” Holgate said. “It was his first 0-for (4) game. They all can hit. And I’ve got a few guys on the bench who can hit. So that’s the dilemma I’m in trying to get kids in there to play. Once we get going it’s going to be fun.”

CdA used multiple-run innings in the third and fourth to seize control.

The first seven Viks batters in the third reached base as CdA scored seven runs. Gosch, Robert Green, Brad Ross and Vince Rossi each had run-scoring hits in the inning.

In the fourth, Brad Gore plated the final two runs with a single through the middle.

Ross and Rossi each had two hits.

Also in the IEL, Steve Storey threw a two-hitter and Ryan Clark had a bases-loaded triple in the third to guide Lewiston (1-2, 1-0) over visiting Post Falls.

Dustin Zager also tripled for the Bengals. Matt Schrag had a double for Post Falls (3-2, 0-1).

Joe Smith struck out eight in four innings and had three hits, including a homer, to lead St. Maries to a 14-3 non-league win at Wallace.

Trent Duffey added three hits and Mike Schwarts had two doubles for the Lumberjacks. Josh Lavigne had two of the three hits for Wallace (0-3).

Tim Gittel and Sean Moglia had two hits apiece during Lake City’s 10-6 non-league win at Lewis and Clark’s Hart Field. The Timberwolves are 1-4.

Pete Flatt had two hits, including a double, for the Tigers (0-2).

Jens Weiden had six RBIs on the day to help Sandpoint sweep visiting Bonners Ferry 7-2, 9-5 in non-league openers for both teams.

Matt Scott added four hits on the day for the Bulldogs.

Softball

Blake Hoorelbeke threw a five-inning no-hitter, striking out 13, and Coeur d’Alene (5-2, 1-0) opened the Inland Empire League season with a 10-0 win over visiting Moscow.

Patty Stranger had a two-run single in the Vikings’ four-run third, and finished with three RBIs, three runs and three stolen bases. Moscow is 0-2, 0-1.

Katey Allen had two hits and Jenelle Andrews tripled in Lewiston’s 14-3 win over visiting Post Falls in another IEL opener.

Lewiston is 4-0 overall. Jayme Smith doubled for the Trojans (0-2).

Casi Reisenauer drove in two runs with a double and a triple to lead Timberlake (2-0) to a 12-3 non-league win at Newport (0-1).

The Tigers’ Heather Creider (1-0) struck out eight and allowed no earned runs. Creider, Angie Carhart and Kerinsa Jennings had two hits apiece.