Jackson pitches out of jam to help Prairie down Coeur d'Alene

By BRUCE BOURQUIN

Sports writer

COEUR d'ALENE - Prairie starting pitcher Kris Jackson cruised along through four innings Wednesday in Class AA American Legion baseball action against the Coeur d'Alene Lumbermen at Thorco Field.

But in the bottom of the third inning of the North Idaho League opener for both teams, when he got into a little trouble, Jackson stepped up when his team needed him the most, in an 8-7 to beat the host Lumbermen. With the bases loaded and two outs, and the Cardinals leading 6-0, Jackson struck out Shawn Montee to end the threat.

Jackson used his fastball and curveball to finish strong, lasting six innings while mixing his speeds well. He allowed three earned runs on seven hits, struck out six and walked three.

"I tried to mix it in," Jackson said. "I figured out where the umpire's strike zone was, first of all, and pitched my stuff to where he was calling it."

Prairie first-year coach Ron Mackie liked seeing several of his players step up at the right time. The Cardinals (4-2) scored four runs on no hits in the top of the second. James Prockish led the inning off with a walk issued by starting pitcher Devin Kluss of Coeur d'Alene (2-2-1).

Trystan Valente was hit by a pitch, then Jacob Koski walked to load the bases. Trevor Hammell was also hit by a pitch, which scored Prokish for a 1-0 lead. Kenny Cooper hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Valente, then two errors led to two more runs.

"That's been our motto this season," Mackie said. "We're expecting all 14 guys to play. I like where we're at. Guys have bought into their roles. Kris kept the ball down and their hitters off balance."

Prairie led 8-3 going into the bottom of the seventh, before the Lumbermen erupted for four runs in a comeback attempt that fell just short. Cody Garza hit a two-RBI single that scored Dominic Conigliaro and Reggie Nault. With two runners on and two out, Gibson Green had a chance to win the game. But reliever Jake Lebsock got Green to pop up to shallow center field to end the game.

"They bought into their approach at the plate," first-year Coeur d'Alene coach Zach Clanton said. "During the first five innings, it seemed like they tried to hit the ball out of the park. Last week, we scored 26 runs, with everyone thinking opposite field. You can't spot a team six runs and expect to win."

Both teams will play Friday in the Border Wars tournament in Spokane.

Prairie 042 001 1 - 8 5 1

Coeur d'Alene 000 030 4 - 7 6 4

Kris Jackson, Brian Howell (7), Jake Lebsock (7) and James Prockish; Devin Kluss, Elliott Sparks (4) and Colton Gray. W - Jackson. L - Kluss (0-2).

HITS: Pra - Prockish, Wrotenbery 2, Hammell, Valente. Cd'A - Nault, Green, Plum, Garza, Green, Kluss, Garza. 2B - Nault, Green, Bodak, Conigliaro, Prockish.