Skyview hangs on against Bishop Kelly for district title

Skyview got a scare in the 4A District III baseball championship, but held on for the win.

Bishop Kelly scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to put the pressure on the Hawks. Caden Yesford came in on the mound to record the save, giving Skyview the district championship.

The Hawks had built a six run lead through four innings, including four runs in the fourth. Four different players had multiple hits. Ledger Downs and Noah Palonmares had three apiece. Mason Krahn had a home run and Grady Daniels had a team-high three RBI.

Skyview (21-2) has the fewest losses of any 4A team going into the state tournament.

Bishop Kelly (15-9) now faces Ridgevue (12-11) Saturday afternoon for a state tournament bid.

5A BASEBALL

Down 1-0 in the best-of-three series, Eagle (21-3) flipped the series around on Middleton (21-6), winning the final two games. They won 8-3 over the Vikings Thursday night to win the district title.

The bats were alive early and often for Eagle, scoring all eight of their runs in the first four innings, with at least one run in each. Caleb Zawadzki — who pitched a complete game for the Mustangs Wednesday night — highlighted the scoring with a two-run home run. Five different players drove in a run.

Bryson Shea threw 6 ⅓ innings for the Mustangs. He surrendered ten hits but only gave up the three runs. Middleton out-hit Eagle 11 to 10 in the game.

2A BASEBALL

An extra inning was needed between Nampa Christian and Marsing in the 2A District III championship, who held each other scoreless through seven.

Unfortunately for Marsing pitcher Teagan Kinney, who threw every pitch for the Huskies, the winning run for the Trojans in the bottom of the eighth inning was unearned. While Nampa Christian (22-1) advances to state as district champions, Marsing (13-11) faces Cole Valley Christian (20-6-1) Saturday for the other state tournament spot in the district.

4A SOFTBALL

In contrast to the 4A baseball District III title game, Bishop Kelly (20-3) got the best of Skyview (15-12). The Knights made light work of the Hawks, winning 12-2.

Ten of their runs came in the bottom of the third inning. Jaidyn Baerlocher and Lauren Fettic both had a home run in the game and combined for six RBI. As a team, Bishop Kelly had 12 hits.

Bella Rausch pitched all five innings in the circle for the Knights, striking out 10 batters.

Skyview will play Emmett on Saturday for a state tournament berth.

HOMEDALE CAPTURES DISTRICT TITLES IN BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL

Both Homedale baseball and softball squads captured a district title Wednesday night at home.

In a third matchup with Fruitland this season, the Trojan baseball team defeated the Grizzlies 4-1, thanks to a three run fifth inning. Lukas Hall drove in two of the runs with a two-RBI double. Carson Fine also chipped in an RBI.

But once again, it was Dillon Fine starring on the mound. Pitching 6 ⅔ innings, the senior struck out 14 batters, his sixth start of the season recording double digit strikeouts. He has 111 for the season in 50 ⅓ innings with a 0.28 ERA.

Payton Fine entered the game for the final out to record the save.

In softball, the Trojans cruised to an 11-1 win over Weiser. The game ended in the fifth inning when Homedale scored two runs in the bottom of the inning, putting the ten-run rule into place.

Dani Sitts pitched all five innings for the Trojans, allowing three hits and striking out ten. At the plate, Zayne Hall had two hits and five RBI, including a home run. Olivia Asumendi and Lily Trescott both had two RBI.