Dirt Dawgs keep rolling

POST FALLS, Idaho – Winners of three in a row and 8-of-10 propel the Medical Lake Dirt Dawgs into the concluding of the regular season.

The Dirt Dawgs opened July with a 7-4 loss to the Northern Lakes Mountaineers at Holliday Field. They erupted with big bats to win the next three, 11-5 over the Prairie Gold Cardinals (July 2) and a doubleheader sweep, 15-0 and 17-3, over the North Idaho Lakers Juniors on July 8.

“We’ve had a few players that have been working really hard to get some playing time,” head coach Lance Michaud write in a text message. “John Potter has been playing a great second base and has picked up his swing over the last couple games. The rookies, Jaydin Sherman and Aiden Miller have been growing all season and am excited to what their future is after a full season.”

Trailing 7-1 in the seventh, the Dirt Dawgs cut into the lead with three runs. Ian Thompson and Levi Brower had two hits each with Brower’s effort including a double. Five errors hurt ML’s cause.

The late-inning surge continued the following day as the Dirt Dawgs scored six runs in the sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie against Prairie. ML just seven hits led by Thompson (2-for-3) and Colton Lonning (2-for-4) including a double.

Tysen Finch pitched five innings with five strikeouts and was relieved by Thompson.

In the July 8 opener it took just four innings to end the game due to the 10-run rule as the Dirt Dawgs scored seven times in the fourth.

Loaning, Brower and John Potter each had apair of hits with Brower’s day highlighted by a double and triple and four RBIs. Finch pitched four innings striking out six.

In game two the Dirt Dawgs first at-bat produced seven runs and they were never challenged. Zach Boyd had a perfect 4-for-4 day at the plate scoring four and driving in five runs, his output including a triple.

Michaud simply refers to as “Coach Hank (Brower).” “He has been a great bench coach he tends to be the players favorite. He helps a lot with the mentality and emotions of the game.”

The Dirt Dawgs closed out the regular season with three games, July 9 vs. West Valley, at Pullman, July 12 and home vs., Kettle Falls, July 15.