LEGION BASEBALL: Prairie takes league opener from Coeur d'Alene

COEUR d’ALENE — Alec Finn hit a two-run single to give Prairie the lead for good in the top of the third inning and Toby Begalman followed later in the inning with a three-run double as the Cardinals defeated the Coeur d’Alene Lumbermen 8-2 in the Class AA North Idaho League opener for both programs at Thorco Field on Wednesday. 

Gavin Wienker and Bryce Berger scored two runs each for Prairie (2-0), which is fielding a AA team for the first time since the abbreviated 2020 season. 

Jack Pierce hit a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning for Coeur d’Alene (2-1). Malcolm MacNiven had two hits for Coeur d’Alene. 

Prairie faces River City (Green) in the Whitworth Prospect Series on Friday at 6 p.m. at Whitworth University in Spokane. 

Coeur d’Alene and Prairie play again next Tuesday at Brett James Memorial Field in Post Falls starting at 5:30 p.m.

Prairie        005    201    0    —    8    8    2 

Coeur d’Alene    101    000    0    —    2    5    0 

James Morast, Grady Stinson (4), Andrew Olson (7) and Houston Smith; JD Davenport, Evan Huss (3), Aven Adams (6) and Colton Nordman. 

ITS: Pra — Wienker, Olson 2, Berger, Finn, Howard, Begalman 2. Cd’A — Pierce 2, MacNiven 2, Huss. 2B — Berger, Wienker, Begalman. HR — Pierce. 

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Coeur d'Alene infielder Aven Adams drops down a successful sacrifice bunt during the first inning of Wednesday's Class AA North Idaho League game against Prairie at Thorco Field in Coeur d'Alene.
  

    JASON ELLIOTT/Press Coeur d'Alene baserunner Logan Strimback leads off first base as Prairie first baseman Bryce Berger keeps an eye on the hitter during the first inning of Wednesday's Class AA North Idaho League game at Thorco Field in Coeur d'Alene.