COEUR d'ALENE - While they'd played on the same baseball field for three years as a part of the class AA Prairie Cardinals American Legion baseball program, it wasn't until a year at Grays Harbor College in Aberdeen, Wash., that Kurt South and Derek Tymesen grew a lot closer.

While South played his high school baseball at Lakeland High and Tymesen at Timberlake High - just 11 miles apart - it wasn't until playing at the collegiate level that they started to come together on the field.

Since the start of the 2010-11 school year, the two have learned a lot about each other and the sport they play.

"I didn't know him before we started rooming together," South said. "It was fun this year and we're going to do it again next year. We helped each other a lot on and off the field and continue to motivate each other to be better."

"It really helps," said Tymesen of living with South. "We watch each other swing and let each other know what they are doing wrong."

South is primarily an outfielder, playing either right or center field.

"I enjoy the feeling during the game," South said. "Running in and out of the dugout and the satisfaction of working hard during those two hours. I'm trying to make a name for myself. It has always been a dream of mine to go pro."

Tymesen, who is an infielder for the Cardinals, played left field and third base for Grays Harbor, who went 6-37 this season in the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges.

"I like the competitive aspect," Tymesen said. "When you're at the plate, it's like 9 vs. 1 and you've got to compete. But it really takes a team effort to win a game. It takes all nine guys playing together."

Returning to the Prairie team, the duo have been key contributors on a team bidding for one of the two state tournament berths in the class AA Area A (district) tournament starting Thursday in Trail, British Columbia.

"There have been some added expectations," said South of their returning experience. "We've been through it now for three years. We know what's expected from the coaches and we're helping all the other younger players to buy into the system. We kind of competed against Lewis-Clark. That will be a big factor for us going forward. All we need to keep doing is to play our game."

"Skill wise, you can definitely see an improvement in Kurt at the plate," said second-year Prairie coach Dustin Frank. "With him, nothing has caught him by surprise. With both Kurt and Derek, they are so mature and such good leaders, there wasn't a lot you could have improved on."

Frank added that going from seeing a pitcher throw 85 miles per hour in Legion baseball to seeing it consistently in the NWAACC has helped them in the batter's box.

"For them, it's just another day at the office," Frank said. "Both their approaches at the plate have improved since last year. They're more aggressive and more confident. You can see some of the juniors getting blown away by those kind of pitches, but no pitcher will blow it right by them."

Prairie enters this week's district tournament at 20-20.

"If we play to our ability, it should be an interesting tournament," Tymesen said. "We could turn some heads."

The top two teams from the area will advance to the state tournament in Twin Falls the following weekend.

"Coach Frank wants us to lead by example," South said. "We've got some kids that could play college ball. It's a little different, but as long as you work hard, it is possible."

Both could have played in a wood bat league based out of Olympia, but opted to play a final season in Post Falls.

"To do that, we would have had to stay there the entire summer," South said. "Coach Frank lowered the player cost and basically was someone that got me into playing college ball. I felt like I owed it to him to play one more year."

"I've played every year for Prairie," Tymesen said. "If there ever was a year to get the program back to where we want to go, I knew this was the year."

"I feel fortunate to have them on the roster," Frank said. "Kurt is a coach's dream. He always gives 100 percent and they're both true leaders on this team. I wish I had 16 of them. The best thing about them is what they do with team chemistry and leadership. They are two great kids and I know whatever they do, whether baseball or in life, they'll be successful at it. I'm happy to have had them and excited to see what comes of them."

They also couldn't resist playing at McEuen Field, home of the Coeur d'Alene American Legion baseball program one final time.

"I love playing at McEuen Field," South said. "With the lights, it's one of the best around. Playing there one last time was nice."

Prairie won what could be its final game at McEuen in the Best of the Northwest tournament in June.

"Anytime I think of summer baseball, I'll think of that," South said.

"It will be sad to see it go," Tymesen said. "When I used to go to the (Coeur d'Alene) Resort, I'd often look to see if a game was going on. I always dreamed of getting to play on that field, and I got the chance to do that."