Badgers sweep Spartans in IML baseball opener
Chris Sabin takes off for first as Brady Bateman crosses home plate during the Badgers’ doubleheader sweep of Priest River on April 14. Bonners Ferry won 12-0 and 11-0 to begin defense of their Intermountain League title. Photos by TANNA YEOUMANS
Mason Eby hits the ball into the air as Chris Sabin takes his lead at first base.
Brady Bateman uses good judgment during the game as he lays off a pitch in the dirt.
Photo by TANNA YEOUMANS Ending the double header with the Priest River Spartains, the Badgers came out with a 12-0 and 11-0 win.
The Badger baseball team began its quest for a fourth-straight Intermountain League crown on Saturday with a convincing sweep of the Priest River Spartans. Both games ended via the 5 inning mercy rule, with Bonners Ferry winning 12–0 and 11–0.
Game 1
Senior Mason Eby gave up one hit while striking out five and walking none in a 12–0 victory over the Spartans. The win moves Eby’s record to 3-0 on the season.
The Badgers scored 6 runs in the bottom of the first inning with singles from Brady Bateman, Seamus Ryan and Kendall Stone. After single runs in the second and third innings, the Badgers erupted for four more in the bottom of the fourth, led by Chris Sabin and Shayne Walker singles.
The Badgers were led by Sabin with two hits, including a double, and 3 RBI.
Game 2
Senior Brady Bateman struck out 9 while walking only two in Bonners Ferry’s 11-0, five-inning second game for the IML sweep. Bateman’s record moved to 1-0 on the mound.
Bonners Ferry scored an early run in the 1st inning after Brady Bateman hit a leadoff double to left center field. He later scored on a wild pitch. The Badgers scored four more runs in the third on one hit, 3 walks and an error from the Spartan defense. In the bottom of the fourth, the Badgers put six more runs on the scoreboard to close out the game.
Bonners Ferry was led by Brady Bateman at the plate going 2 for 4 with a double and 3 RBI while Sabin getting his second double of the day.
The Badgers’ record moves to 6-3 and 2-0 in IML. Bonners Ferry was scheduled to host Kellogg on Tuesday, and on Saturday, April 21, they host their IML rival Timberlake for a doubleheader as the Badgers recognize their seniors. There will be 11 seniors recognized so please come show your support. First game is at 11 a.m.
FIRST GAME
Priest River 000 00 — 0 1 3
Bonners Ferry 611 4x — 12 8 1
Game called in 5th inning due to 10-run rule.
Justin Allbee and Cameron Reeves; Mason Eby and Brady Bateman. W — Eby (3-0). L — Allbee.
HITS: PR — Thompson. BF — Brady Bateman, Walker, Sabin 2, Eby, Parr, Ryan, Stone. 2B — Sabin.
SECOND GAME
Priest River 000 00 — 0 2 2
Bonners Ferry 104 6x — 11 6 1
Game called in 5th inning due to 10-run rule.
Jantzen Lucas, Caden Beennan (4) and Cameron Reeves; Brady Bateman and Shayne Walker. W — Bateman (1-0). L — Lucas.
HITS: PR — Beennan, Lucas. BF — Brady Bateman 2, Seth Bateman, Walker, Sabin, Ty Bateman. 2B — B. Bateman, Sabin.