After losing their first two games in pool play, the North Idaho Lakers bounced back to defeat the Generals Baseball and the Lockwood Razerbacks to finish in fifth place at the Libby Big Bucks Tournament on June 24-25. The Lakers defeated the Generals 11-8, and the Razerbacks 9-8 after a walk-off single by Jorden Tyler.

On Saturday, the Lakers took on the Generals in the tournament's afternoon consolation matchup. The team got out to an early lead by putting up seven runs in the second inning. By the end of three innings, the Lakers led 10-0. The Generals would mount a comeback, but the Lakers ultimately would fend them off and secure an 11-8 victory.

Jayden Kuprienko and Greyson Johnson led the Lakers offensively with three RBIs each. Kuprienko, Dallen Williams and Jorden Tyler put up multi-hit efforts in the contest. On the mound, Tyler was awarded the win going six innings and giving up seven hits, three earned runs, two walks, and recording three strikeouts. Kuprienko received the save by pitching a clean seventh inning for the Lakers.

On Sunday, after the home-run derby and skills challenge the night before, the Lakers would defeat the Lockwood Razerbacks in dramatic fashion to secure fifth place. Going into the final inning of play, the Lakers trailed 8-7 after a long back-and-forth game. Due to a time limit rule, Johnson was placed on second to start the bottom of the sixth inning. Coleman Inge then singled to right field and stole second base to put runners on second and third base. Tyler then singled to left field on the very next at-bat that scored both Inge and Johnson and gave the Lakers a 9-8 walk-off victory.

Tyler led the Lakers going two-for-three with two singles and three RBIs. Mason Little, Parker Reichart, and Inge all racked up multiple stolen bases which helped tremendously. On the mound, Kuprienko’s pitching in relief was also a major factor; he threw 2 2/3 innings giving up three hits, one run and two walks while striking out six batters.

The North Idaho Lakers (9-8) will be back in action at the Spokane Wood Bat Classic tournament Friday, June 30 where they will face Shadle Park and the Multi-sport 360 Steelheads.

GAME ONE

NORTH IDAHO 11, GENERALS 8

North Idaho 271 001 0 – 11 9 5

Generals 000 223 1 – 8 8 1

W – Tyler. L – Fitt. SV – Kuprienko.

HITS: NIL – Tyler 2, Kuprienko 2, Williams 2, Johnson, Little. GB – Izzo 2, Anderson 2, M. Kiblen, Durrett, Breese.

2B – Kuprienko, Tyler, Anderson. HR – M. Kiblen, Anderson.

GAME TWO

LOCKWOOD 8, NORTH IDAHO 9

Lockwood 200 411 – 8 9 2

North Idaho 103 212 – 9 5 3

W – Kuprienko. L – K. Thompson.

HITS: NIL – Tyler 2, Reichart 1, Hamelin-Johnson 1, Inge. LR – K. Thompson 2, T. Reeves 2, M. Reeves 2, Reynolds, Cross, C. Thompson.

2B – T. Reeves.