COEUR d'ALENE - Two teams from the Intermountain League experienced the highs and lows of the final day of the state 3A softball tournament on Saturday.

In the third-place game, the Timberlake Tigers rallied from a 4-3 deficit to beat the Bear Lake Bears 5-4 - winning their first trophy at state since 2008 and posting their highest finish since placing second in 2007.

“I’m so proud of the work these girls did in the entire season,” Timberlake coach Mike Menti said. “Our goal every season is to bring home a trophy at state — and we did that.”

Meanwhile, Buhl outscored Priest River 11-1 in the consolation championship game in Priest River’s first appearance at state in program history.

“I couldn’t be more proud of this team,” second-year Priest River coach Brandi Johnson said. “That was our goal all season and we accomplished our goal. We were trying for more, but we never had a team in either softball or baseball win a game at state — so we made some history.”

Timberlake 5, Bear Lake 4: After striking out four in the first two games on Friday, Timberlake senior Nicole Cameron saved her best for last, striking out 10 as the Tigers beat the Bears to capture third.

“Both teams played their hearts out,” Menti said. “It was a back and forth battle. You hate to lose a game like that. Their pitcher threw well, so did ours. It was a fun game to be a part of.”

Bear Lake took a 4-3 lead on a solo home run by Tahnee Sexton, but the Tigers battled back to tie it on an RBI single by Ashlei Jerome, her second of the game.

Cameron struck out the side in the top of the seventh.

With one out in the bottom of the seventh, and runners on first and third, Lexi Posch hit a ground ball to short. Danielle Lastoskie broke from third base, the throw from the shortstop got there late, and Lastoskie slid in safely with the winning run.

“From Nicole to Ashlei and Kodi (Kuykendall) in center field, they’ll be tough to replace,” Menti said. “I’m so proud of these girls for stepping up and executing like they did today.”

The right-handed Cameron was slowed by a right knee injury early in the tournament.

“It’s my senior year, so I had to go out big,” Cameron said. “The team played great behind me. As far as my knee, it’s there. I don’t know how it will be, but I had to play through the pain. We had a great year and I’m proud of our team.”

Bear Lake 200 011 0 — 4 4 2

Timberlake 020 101 1 — 5 6 2

RiLee Lutz and Tahnee Saxton; Nicole Cameron and Ashlei Jerome. W — Cameron (16-6). L — Lutz.

HITS: BL — Lutz, Hemmert, Jacobsen, Saxton. TL — Posch 2, Jerome 2, Owen, Kuykendall. HR — Saxton.

Buhl 11, Priest River 1, six innings: Johnson, the former Lake City High softball standout, will take over as vice principal at Timberlake High starting next fall, leaving Priest River after seven years — five as a softball coach.

“This is easily the toughest decision of my career,” Johnson said. “I started my career there and I’ve enjoyed everything about it. Anytime you take on a new job, it’s tough to keep coaching — but once I learn the ropes, I love it too much to keep my hands completely clean.”

Sophomore Brittany Krampert struck out four for Priest River, which finished 15-9.

“Brittany’s got a great future behind her with all that she does,” Johnson said. “Our seniors worked hard all season. I wish we could have done a little better at state, but it looks like we left our bats on the bus — but at least we got a ‘W’ down here.”

“I’m so proud we made it to state,” Krampert said. “We set a record for wins in a season and nobody had made it here before.”

Priest River 000 010 — 1 6 2

Buhl 004 331 — 11 11 1

Game called in 6th inning due to 10-run rule.

Brittany Krampert and Ayonna Lentz; Morgan Pearson and Tyana. W — Pearson. L — Krampert (10-6).

HITS: PR — Reed 2, Krampert, Lentz, Fink, Thompkins. Buhl — Kippes 2, Pearson 2, Hamilton, Weaver, Lauda, Morse 3. 2B — Lentz.

Fruitland 15, Homedale 6: In the championship game, Kendal Cox hit a two-run single in the sixth inning and struck out eight as Fruitland beat district rival Homedale in the title game for the second straight year. The towns are 29 miles apart.

“We’re estatic,” Fruitland coach Joe Gastanaga said. “Our girls have worked hard all year. It’s tough we had to travel to Coeur d’Alene to face our rivals, but I’m proud of the girls. (Homedale) forced us to work hard. It’s a tough game every time against them and we’re fortunate to win it again.”

Ambrea Cuellar went 2 for 5 with three runs scored for Fruitland.

Fruitland 500 033 4 — 15 10 3

Homedale 030 001 2 — 6 10 3

Kendal Cox and Rhyli Rayo; Morgan Nash, Bryce Osborn and T. Nash. W — Cox. L — M. Nash.

HITS: Frut — Berger, Phillips 3, Cuellar 2, Cox, Rayo 2, Ryan, Blackwell 3. Home — M. Nash 2, A. Nash, T. Nash 2, Kelly 2, Mavey, Calzacorta, G. Nash. 2B — Kelly, G. Nash