BONNERS FERRY — The Bonners Ferry Badgers lost their first game of the season to a 3A school or similar size in the District 1-2 3A championship game, dropping a 5-4 contest against rival Timberlake.

The Badgers (18-3) hope to bounce back this week as they advance to state as the No. 2 seed out of District 1-2.

Bonners Ferry will face the Teton Redskins on at 9 a.m. PST (10 a.m. MST) today, May 18, at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Ore. The winner advances to the semifinal game at 3 p.m. PST on Friday, May 19.

District championship: Timberlake 5, Bonners Ferry 4

The Badgers started the scoring in the first inning after Brady Bateman hit a leadoff double and later scored on a Tiger error. But, in the second inning, Badger pitching gave up the lead after a single and four straight walks which scored two Tiger runs.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Badgers regained the lead 3–2 with a one-out walk to Chris Sabin and a single from brother Nick Sabin. Both scored on Seth Bateman’s single.

The fourth and fifth innings were quiet for both teams but in the top of the sixth inning, Timberlake added three runs to retake the lead 5–3 after a single and an error.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, with the Badgers down 5–3, pinch hitter Jesse Dunham reached on a one-out walk. Brady Bateman hit a single to right to advance Dunham to second, then Chris Sabin hit a fielder’s choice as Dunham was out at third. Sabin advanced to third on two wild pitches and the tying run was 90 feet away with two outs and the Intermountain League co-MVP, Nick Sabin, up to bat. With the count 1 ball and 2 strikes, Sabin went down swinging to end the game and Timberlake won the District Title and advances to the State Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the region.

Second place game: Bonners Ferry 1, Kellogg 0 (forfeit)

Bonners Ferry was scheduled to play the Kellogg Wildcats last Thursday for the second seed to state, only to be told Thursday morning that Kellogg forfeited due to “eligibility issues.” By rule, the final score of the game is Bonners Ferry 1 Kellogg 0 and the Badgers advance to the state tournament with an overall record of 18–3.

Six Badgers selected to IML all-league team

The Bonners Ferry Badgers took an unprecedented six selections on this year’s all league team, with two representing the co-MVPs of the league.

Brady Bateman, Seth Bateman, Chris Sabin, Nick Sabin, Jesse Dunham and Shayne Walker all were earned recognition on this year’s team. Jesse Dunham and Nick Sabin were selected as co-MVPs for the league this year with each having tremendous success both on the mound and at the plate.

Congratulations to this year’s Badger All-League players.