Filer jacks St. Maries in semis

Filer turned a fourth-inning double play to escape a bases-loaded jam, then cruised the rest of the way to defeat St. Maries 9-0 in a State 3A baseball semifinal at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore.

Filer (20-6) will play for the state championship this afternoon against the winner between Sugar-Salem and Middleton.

The loser between Sugar-Salem and Middleton will play St. Maries (15-10) at noon for third place.

The Lumberjacks trailed 5-0 when they loaded the bases with one out in the fourth. Filer pulled in its infield and turned a double play.

Dalton Baker had two of the Lumberjacks’ four hits.

Also at the tourney, Priest River (20-5) ended its season with a 3-2 loss to South Fremont (19-5). South Fremont will play in today’s consolation game against either American Falls or Weiser.

State 5A

Brandon Gifford picked up the win in relief and Centennial (20-11) scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Lewiston 5-4 in a loser-out game at Wigle Field at Borah High in Boise. Chris Butler doubled twice and Kevin Maurer added two hits for the Bengals, who finished 16-9. Centennial will play in today’s consolation game against Boise (20-11), a 4-3 winner over Idaho Falls (14-11).