Nikunen powers AA Lakers to doubleheader sweep

HELENA — The Kalispell AA Lakers walked the bases loaded and scored two runs on an error in the 11th inning to end a back-and-forth contest against the Helena Senators in game one of a doubleheader in American Legion baseball on Saturday. 

The Lakers picked up the sweep in game two, winning 8-3. 

AA Lakers 10, Senators 8 

Luke Nikunen collected two doubles and scored twice in game one for the Lakers (7-3). Oscar Kallis reached base four times, with two doubles and two walks, driving in a pair. Kyler Croft earned the win after coming in relief for starter Jackson Heino. He pitched the final six innings with four hits, two runs; one of them earned.  

Cohen Sassano was credited with the loss for Helena (3-6), allowing four hits, two runs with one of them earned across 3 2-3 innings. Helena outhit the Lakers 11 to nine, but the Senators’ pitchers walked 10, four in that final frame. 

AA Lakers 8, Senators 3 

Nikunen took the bump in game two, allowed three hits and two earned runs, striking out four across six innings to pick up the win. 

Battery mate Andre Cephers provided the pop for the Lakers, connecting on a 2-run home run that capped off a six-run fifth inning that put the Lakers ahead 6-3. Cephers finished with two hits and crossed the plate twice. Kaeden Kahler picked up three hits and two RBIs. 

Walker DesRosier was charged with the loss for Helena, allowing eight hits, six runs, five of them earned in 4 1-3 innings. DesRosier added two of the Senators’ three hits, James DeMers provided the other. Connor Devine drove in two runs, both on sacrifice flies.  

Game one 

AA Lakers    023    010    101    02    -    10    9    4 

Senators      102    031    001    00    -    8    10    3 

KALISPELL AA LAKERS — Hunter Fann 0-5, Luke Nikunen 3-5, Oscar Kallis 2-4, Kaeden Kahler 0-4, Kyler Croft 1-4, Cole Brink 2-6, Bryce Buckmaster 1-5, Brady Buckmaster 0-3, Teagan Dixon 0-3. 

HELENA — Walker DesRosier 1-4, James DeMers 1-6, Keaton Troyer 2-5, Connor Devine 1-4, Cohen Sassano 1-5, Eli Peterson 0-3, Finn Doran 0-5, Tizer Lindgren 2-3, Tyler Kaiser 2-5. 

2B — Nikunen 2, Bryce Buckmaster, Kallis. Devine, Kaiser. 3B — DeMers, DesRosier, Troyer. RBIs — Bryce Buckmaster 2, Kahler 2, Kallis 2, Croft, Nikunen. Devine 3, DesRosier 2, Peterson, Troyer. 

Game two 

AA Lakers    000    061    1    -    8    11    2 

Senators    201    000    0    -    3    3    3 

KALISPELL AA LAKERS — Fann 1-5, Nikunen 1-5, Kallis 1-3, Kahler 3-4, Brink 1-3, Reggie Sapa 0-4, Andre Cephers 2-3, Bryce Buckmaster 1-3, Dixon 1-4. 

HELENA SENATORS — DesRosier 2-4, DeMers 1-3, Troyer 0-1, Devine 0-1, Sassano 0-2, Peterson 0-2, Ryker Roman 0-2, Doran 0-1, Brady Perlinski  0-3, Kaiser 0-3. 

2B — Bryce Buckmaster, Kallis. HR — Cephers. RBIs — Cephers 2, Kahler 2, Sapa 2, Brink, Dixon. Devine 2, Peterson.