Badgers sweep Wildcats to begin IML title defense

BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry Badger Baseball team began their Intermountain League league title defense this past Saturday with convincing wins over the Kellogg Wildcats, 11-1 and 10-0. Both games were shortened due to the 10-run rule.

GAME 1 – Kellogg 1 Bonners Ferry 11

(6 innings)

The Badgers gave up an unearned run in the first inning but then senior pitcher Jesse Dunham pitched struck out 11 and walked one batter to earn the 11-1 victory in the 6 inning game.

The Badgers scored three in the first and two in the second and third innings to take a commanding lead in the game. Juniors Brady Bateman and Chris Sabin led all hitters with two hits each and Dunham helped his cause with a RBI double.

The win improves Dunham’s record to 3-0.

GAME 2 – Kellogg 0 Bonners Ferry 10 (5 inn.)

The Badger bats came alive in game 2 banging out 10 hits including three doubles by Nick Sabin and 10-0 victory in 5 innings. Badger pitching only gave up only three hits in the game.

Senior Kevin Gray pitched four strong innings striking out 5 and walking only one while Junior Shayne Walker came in the last inning and struck out the side to finish the game. Gray got the win to improve his record to 3-0 in the season.

The Badger offense scored two in the first inning when Nick Sabin hit his first double of the game to score a run. In the bottom of the third inning, the Badgers broke it open with 5 runs when Chris Sabin started the inning off with a walk. His brother, Nick then hit his second double of the game followed by a single from Walker. After Seth Bateman was hit by a pitch, Jesse Dunham hit a double to score two runs. The Badgers added two more runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to finish the game.

Bonners Ferry was led by Nick Sabin going 3 for 3 with 3 doubles, 3 runs scored and 3 RBI while Brady Bateman, Seth Bateman and Jesse Dunham each had two hits in the game.

The wins improve the Badgers overall record to 9 – 2 and 2 – 0 in the IML.