Kerns helps Bengals earn fourth place

Even though they were playing for fourth place in State 5A baseball, the Lewiston Bengals still turned to a relatively untested pitcher.

Bo Kerns, who was on the junior varsity team most of the year, made his second varsity start a memorable one, throwing six innings, striking out nine and leading Lewiston to a 12-3 win over Highland in Boise.

Kerns, who gave up all three runs in the first inning, was a relative veteran compared to Reece Qualey, who hit a two-run home run in his first varsity at-bat. John Rogers added two RBIs and was 7 for 10 at state.

In other state games, Minico stopped Moscow 11-1 to win the 4A title and Buhl edged Bonners Ferry 8-5 for third in 3A.

Tennis

State 4A: Two Sandpoint doubles teams earned third-place finishes at the Boise Racquet and Swim Club after both lost to the eventual champions. Piper Wahlin and Abby Helander lost a three-set semifinal in the girls then breezed in the consolation matches, losing just five games in two matches. Mikka Nostdahl and Dustin Pierce also had to win two matches to earn third after an early loss, but they battled through two three-set matches after dropping the opening set in both.