Lessons are better learned now by Dirt Dawgs

RATHDRUM, Idaho — The lessons learned by the Medical Lake Dirt Dawgs single-A American Legion team are better now than down the road come playoff time for Coach Lance Michaud.

That’s why his team’s 1-2 week is not all that bad following a 4-3 Northern Lakes Mountaineers win over the Medical Lake Dirt Dawgs in Rathdrum on June 6.

That was followed by a split in a road trip to Trail, B.C. against the Trail Orioles winning 16-3 before losing 7-3, June 8.

All were league games where the Dirt Dawgs currently stand 4-2.

The Northern Lakes Mountaineers pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the sixth for their win when Ryker Brennan grounded out to push across the winning run for the Mountaineers.

That snapped a six-game Dirt Dawgs’ winning streak.

Trailing 1-0, Medical Lake got two runs in the top of the fourth when Cole Carter reached on an error and Ian Thompson singled. Zach Boyd moved the runners on a single and Levi Brower’s ground out scored Carter and advanced Thompson who ultimately scored on a balk.

Northern Lakes scored twice in their half of the fourth to lead 3-2 before a leadoff double by Cole Gardner started things for ML. Gardner was pulled for a pinch runner, Aiden Miller, who scored on Lincoln Dickey’s ground out to knot things at 3-3.

The Dirt Dawgs captured the lead, 2-1, in the top of the fourth after Levi Brower and Aiden Fontenot grounded out, each driving in a run.

Thompson had two of just five hits for ML while Cooper Danekas pitched a complete game.

“Our pitcher Coop (Danekas) and their pitcher both pitched outstanding,” Lance Michaud wrote in an email.

Medical Lake, however, left runners on base in key situations, Michaud said, which are “All learning moments for the boys; quality at-bats was the focal point.”

“For our double header in Trail, B.C. it was a fun experience for the boys, but a tad frustrating as a coach,” Michaud said.

In both games the Dirt Dawgs had 10 hits, but opposite results.

“The first game we played the way we should have (with) clean defense, timely hits and taking advantages over their mistakes,” Michaud said. The second game was the opposite — we had 10 hits and only scored three runs.”

In the opener the Dirt Dawgs broke away from a 4-3 lead scoring eight runs in the fourth and were able to shorten the game with four more in the top of the sixth to invoke the 10-run rule.

Thompson, Brower, Boyd and AJ Michaud each had a pair of hits for ML with Thompson, Boyd and Michaud’s stats including doubles. Thompson and Michaud, who both normally play for the AAA West Plains Cannons, are double-rostered and took advantage of a weekend off to play.

Boyd and Tysen Finch split the game on the mound — each pitching three innings — with Boyd earning the win.

Trail broke a 2-2 tie by scoring single runs in both the third and fourth but put the game away with a three-run sixth. The Orioles took advantage of five Dirt Dawg errors.

Thompson was 3-for-4, including a double and an RBI. Boyd finished 2-for-4. Thompson also pitched four innings with AJ Michaud adding three innings of relief.

“It’s better to have these lessons taught and experienced early in the season so we can tighten the bolts before playoffs,” Lance Michaud said.

The Dirt Dawgs, 7-3, faced Cheney Summer Hawks A team on June 12.

They welcome the Kennewick Phantoms (9 a.m.) and Columbia Basin River Dogs (2 p.m.) June 15 and Moscow Blue Devils June 16 at 9 a.m. to Holliday Field.