Bridges ends successful run as Lake City baseball coach
Cory Bridges didn’t try to keep it a secret. But the Lake City High baseball coach didn’t try to draw attention to it during the season either.
As expected, Bridges, 49, handed in his resignation Tuesday. He started the LC program and endured some lean early years.
His hard work was rewarded the last five years. He coached three teams that advanced to state championship games including the team that claimed the state title in 2007 and the team that lost 6-4 to Boise in the final this spring.
“The last five years have been real rewarding,” Bridges said. “The types of kids we had involved in the program made it even more worthwhile.”
Before arriving at LC, Bridges, a 1977 Coeur d’Alene High graduate, was the head coach at Minico in southern Idaho.
He’s one of three sons of former major league player and minor league coach Everett “Rocky” Bridges, who lives in Coeur d’Alene. Cory’s mother, Mary, passed away last week after falling and hitting her head in an accident that may have been related to a stroke, he said.
LC athletic director Jim Winger appreciates Bridges’ dedication.
“When the school opened, he started at a point that wasn’t the same as the rest of the league, that’s for sure,” Winger said. “He’s a real class guy, a real baseball guy. I’m really sorry to lose him. I’m a big Cory Bridges fan.”
Lewiston coach Tom Grunenfelder, who counts Bridges as a personal friend, has nothing but respect for the program Bridges built and leaves behind.
“He’s going to be missed,” Grunenfelder said. “We’ve had a great friendly rivalry. He turned the program into one of the best in the state. He’s leaving the program in good shape.”
The likely front-runner for the job is LC girls basketball coach Darren Taylor, who had successful teams when he coached the Prairie American Legion team. Others who have expressed interest are LC assistant and Lakeland High graduate Al Bevacqua, LC junior varsity coach Brandon McCormick, Coeur d’Alene grad Nick Rook and former North Idaho College coach Paul Manzardo.
All-league teams
Inland Empire League baseball and softball coaches have announced their all-league teams.
In baseball, Lewiston High senior left-handed pitcher Brett Watson was named player of the year. Lewiston sophomore Justin Podrabsky was named newcomer of the year and Lewiston coach Tom Grunenfelder was named coach of the year.
Named to the first team were: Zach Clanton of Lake City and Josh Richardson of Lewiston (pitchers); Matt Blankenship of Lewiston, Kyle Johnson of LC and J.J. Turbin of Coeur d’Alene (outfielders); Beau Balmer, Taylor Forge and Tom Kerr of Lewiston and Trent Bridges of LC (infielders); Tim Kerr of Lewiston (catcher); and Zach Aker of Post Falls (designated hitter).
•In softball, LC junior pitcher Lela Work was named player of the year. CdA junior Amanda Edwards was named newcomer of the year and Lewiston coach Amy Miller was named coach of the year.
Named to the first team were: Blake Meredith of Post Falls and Amber Coburn of CdA (pitchers); Danielle Erickson of CdA, Sammy Byers of Lewiston and Jordan Thomas of Lakeland (outfielders); Amanda Krier of LC, Bri Joseph of Post Falls, Nicole Smith of Moscow and Jessica Kraft of CdA (infielders); Erin O’Hara of Lakeland (catcher); and Janey Ortega of LC (DH).