SANDPOINT — It was one of the best years in a long time for the Sandpoint baseball team, and not surprisingly, the Bulldogs were well represented on the 4A All-Inland Empire League baseball team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.

Bulldog head coach Chase Tigert was voted Coach of the Year, a well-deserved honor after leading the Bulldogs to state for the first time since 2007. He was grateful for the recognition, but said it was all about the kids and what the team accomplished together as a program.

“We had six of our kids recognized in all-league categories, we won districts and went to state for the first time in 11 years, and we finished the year 12-8, which is the first time we’ve been four games over .500 in a very long time,” said Tigert. “This recognition is really a team effort.”

For the second year in a row, senior Trey Flint was named the league’s Most Valuable Player, finishing the year hitting .475, with a team high 27 RBIs, seven doubles and two home runs. The 6-foot-5 first baseman was an imposing presence at the plate.

“Trey earned league MVP honors because he has consistently been a force to be reckoned with at the plate. He hit .475 this year, which is the second year in a row he hit .440 or higher at the varsity level,” said Tigert. “He was consistent, and always delivered in clutch situations.”

Tyler Lehman was voted Newcomer of the Year, finishing 3-4 with a 3.80 ERA, striking out 24 and coming up huge in the district tournament. Offensively, he was a catalyst atop the order, hitting .361 to go with 16 runs and 17 steals.

“Tyler had an impressive sophomore campaign. He hit the cover off the ball, played a stellar left field, and was a major contributor on the mound,” said Tigert. “I know this is just the beginning for him, and I am excited to see what he does over the next two years.”

Senior Tyrone Larson was the Bulldogs’ most consistent starter this season, posting a 4-1 record, a 2.30 ERA and 28 strikeouts in 27 innings. His last two starts at districts and state were solid efforts.

“He was able to pitch deep into games and post a lot of zeros. He has great tilt, a tight slider, and a lot of confidence on the mound,” described Tigert. “We knew we would only need a couple of runs to win when we had him on the mound.”

Senior Preston Pettit emerged as the team’s closer down the stretch, finishing 2-2 with a 5.32 ERA, three saves and 18 punch outs to earn a spot on the team.

“Whenever the game was tight, we knew we could go to Preston and he would keep our lead or keep us in the game,” said Tigert. “He started, relieved, and closed for us this year. Preston is a competitor and he was the anchor of our pen.”

If Flint was the team’s best hitter, junior Alex Stockton was a close second, clouting two homers and six doubles while hitting .373, also scoring 14, driving in 14 and stealing 13 bases in the middle of the order. A five tool player, his defensive range and arm in right field are well above average.

“Alex played an incredible outfield for us this year. Not only did he make exceptional plays in the outfield, but his speed and bat made him the total package,” praised Tigert. “Alex has a tremendous amount of talent. I am already looking forward to what he will do during his senior year.”

Rounding out the Bulldogs on the all-league team was senior Thomas Riley, a true utility player who brought immense value to the diamond. He hit .260 and drove in 13 runs, went 2-0 on the mound with a tidy 1.24 ERA and 10 strikeouts, and brought plus defense wherever he played.

“He is the definition of a utility player. This season, he found time on the mound, at third, short, second, left, right, and behind the plate,” said Tigert. “He played everywhere for us, and did so while only making two errors on the year. He hit the ball hard and was a tremendous asset.”

n 4A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE BASEBALL TEAM

Most Valuable Player — Trey Flint, sr., Sandpoint

Newcomer of the Year — Tyler Lehman, so., Sandpoint

Coach of the Year — Chase Tigert, Sandpoint

Pitchers — Payton Broennecke, sr., Moscow, Tyrone Larson, sr., Sandpoint, Preston Pettit, sr., Sandpoint. Outfielders — Max Baker, sr., Lakeland, Alex Stockton, jr., Sandpoint, Cameron Viss, so., Moscow. Infielders — Hayden Thompson, so., Moscow, Dylan Bradbury, sr., Lakeland, Garrett Moen, sr., Lakeland, Jacob Gray, jr., Moscow. Catcher — Colton Aragon, so., Lakeland. DH/Utility — Thomas Riley, sr., Sandpoint.