POST FALLS - Managing just two hits in two games, the Prairie Cardinals opened their class AA American Legion baseball season with an 8-0 loss to the Spokane Expos and a 6-1 loss to the Spokane Crew on Friday at Post Falls High in the Eastside Memorial Classic.

The Cardinals were no-hit in the opener by the Expos, whose leadoff hitter, Jordan Rathbone, homered on the second pitch of the game.

Against the Crew, Prairie took a 1-0 lead in the second. Jacob Elliott led off with a double. Kaman Curtis and Brock Zeller walked with two outs to load the bases, and a hard-hit ball by Matt Lebsock was ruled and error on the third baseman, scoring Elliott.

"I thought our team battled well throughout the whole day even though the results may not have been what we wanted," first-year Prairie coach Brian Fowler said. "We had some tough at-bats against some good pitching. We also had some bright spots defensively, especially Corbin Buck making a spectacular diving catch in right field during the fourth inning of the game against the Expos."

Prairie plays the Washington Warriors today at 5:30 p.m. at Post Falls High as pool play continues in the 10-team tournament.

SPOKANE EXPOS 8, PRAIRIE 0

Spokane Expos 312 02 - 8 11 0

Prairie 000 00 - 0 0 0

Game called after five innings due to tournament's 8-run rule.

Cherry and Jordan Rathbone; Jacob Elliott, Gage Wark (4) and Jerritt Plunkett. W - Cherry. L - Elliott.

HITS: SE - Rathbone 2, McKiernan 2, Kruz, Machtolf, Kopla 2, Bowdish 3. Pra - none. 2B - Kopla. HR - Rathbone.

SPOKANE CREW 6, PRAIRIE 1

Prairie 010 000 0 - 1 2 2

Spokane Crew 012 210 x - 6 7 1

Jared Porter, Sam Schulze (5) and Dalton Lozier, Chris Kirkeby (6); Nathan English and Cam Scheider. W - English. L -Porter.

HITS: Pra -Lozier, Elliott. SC - Ross 2, Peha 2, Berdahl, Montemayor, Scheider. 2B -Elliott, Lozier, Peha.