The Coeur d’Alene Lumbermen Legion baseball team returned from Hyrum, Utah, with a second-place finish at the Western Invitational on Saturday, capping a competitive weekend that included a dominant semifinal victory and four players earning all-tournament honors.
Strong Semifinal Run at Mountain Crest High
Playing their semifinal at Mountain Crest High School, the Lumbermen rolled past the Rigby Mustangs 18U squad by a score of 18-2. The offense came alive early, with Asa Morton, Jack Pierce, and Colton Nordman each contributing run-scoring singles during a four-run third inning that set the tone for the afternoon.
Pierce was especially productive, going 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the sixth inning and driving in three total runs. Aven Adams and Logan Strimback each collected three hits in the victory, with Strimback adding an RBI triple in the seventh to cap the offensive performance.
On the mound, JD Davenport delivered a complete-game effort, scattering seven hits and striking out four Rigby batters to earn the win and help push Coeur d’Alene into the championship round.
Championship Game Proves a Tough Test
The title game at East Park was a different story. Burley Green Sox A shut down the Lumbermen’s lineup, with pitcher Ike Redder holding Coeur d’Alene to just two hits in a 7-0 victory. The Lumbermen, who finished the tournament at 2-3 overall, were unable to replicate the offensive firepower that had fueled their semifinal win.
Despite the championship loss, coach Sean MacNiven expressed pride in how his players competed throughout the weekend. “It was a long weekend and our boys fought hard to the end,” MacNiven said. “They worked together as a team and made us coaches proud.”
Four Lumbermen Earn All-Tournament Recognition
The tournament committee recognized four Coeur d’Alene players on the all-tournament team: JD Davenport, Colton Nordman, Evan Huss, and Jack Pierce. Davenport’s complete-game pitching performance and Pierce’s multi-hit, multi-RBI semifinal outing were among the standout individual performances of the weekend.
The recognition reflects the depth of talent on a Lumbermen roster that, despite a 2-3 overall record at the tournament, showed it could compete at a high level against strong regional competition. For North Idaho baseball fans who have been following the Lumbermen’s summer campaign, the Utah trip provided valuable tournament experience heading into the heart of the Legion baseball schedule. North Idaho athletes have been active across multiple summer sports — the region’s competitive depth was also on display recently as local players headed to Spokane for the 37th Annual Hoopfest 3-on-3 Tournament.
What Comes Next for the Lumbermen
The Lumbermen return home with their sights set on the Spokane/Coeur d’Alene Wood Bat Classic. Pool-play games are scheduled for Friday and Saturday, with first pitches set for 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Thorco Field. The home-region tournament will give the squad another opportunity to build momentum in front of local fans, putting the lessons from the Utah weekend to immediate use.
For supporters looking to cheer on the Lumbermen, Thorco Field promises two evenings of Legion baseball action as Coeur d’Alene looks to turn its runner-up finish in Utah into a strong showing on familiar ground.