THE FRONT ROW with Mark Nelke May 16, 2013

Looking for something to do the next couple of days - and even if you're not?

Make it a point to stop by Ramsey Park in Coeur d'Alene on Friday and/or Saturday, especially when Lake City is playing. The Timberwolves are nearing the end of a three-year run that has been nothing short of remarkable.

Lake City has won 73 of their last 75 games - 26-0 in 2011, 23-2 last year and 24-0 so far this year. The T-Wolves have two players who have signed with NCAA Division I schools in pitcher Casey Stangel (Missouri) and catcher Lindsey Willmon (Hawaii). They have two juniors who have already committed to colleges in second baseman Vanessa Shippy (Oklahoma State) and first baseman Jordyn McCracken (Utah State).

Lake City is as solid on defense as it is dominant on offense. The Timberwolves hit over .500 (.512 to be exact) as a team, led by leadoff hitter Shippy's .771.

The Timberwolves have pounded 49 home runs in 24 games, led by Willmon (19) and Stangel (14).

There have been some great pitchers to come through Coeur d'Alene in the past decade - Blake Hoorelbeke, Devlin Dougherty, Bobbi Darretta and Jenna DeLong come immediately to mind - but none have matched Stangel's 88 career wins at Lake City.

Still, for all that, nothing is guaranteed this weekend. As was proven last year, their opponents are only a bloop and a blast away from being in position to pull off a stunner.

Sometimes coronations get spoiled, but that makes it even more worth it to show up and watch - to see how this amazing story ends this year.

* More on Blakley: Chase Blakley is looking forward to playing in Husky Stadium in 2014.

Actually, Blakley will get to play on that field prior to becoming a Washington Husky. Coeur d'Alene High's football game vs. Bothell (Wash.) High on Sept. 7 is scheduled for Husky Stadium, which has undergone a major renovation in the past year and a half.

Blakley figured there was no reason to wait, which is why the Coeur d'Alene junior verbally gave his verbal commitment Tuesday to Husky coach Steve Sarkisian to become a Husky more than a year from now.

"It's just a great school in general," he said Wednesday. "I'm definitely feeling the love for the Huskies, I love the coaches ... "

Why commit so soon?

"I was pretty much sold - U-Dub is pretty hard to beat, football wise and education wise. I just love the school," said Blakley, who said he'll probably study business there.

Blakley, a 6-foot-5, 240-pounder who is being recruited as a tight end, said his goals for the next year are to improve his speed, as well as get bigger and faster.

Verbal commitments are non-binding. He can still take five official visits to schools next year, but plans to make only one - his official visit to the University of Washington.

"It's definitely a fun process," Blakley said of recruiting, "but I'm glad I made my decision so I got it over with."

Mark Nelke is sports editor of The Press. He can be reached at 664-8176, Ext. 2019, or via email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at CdAPressSports.