Pocatello earns spot in district championship game with victory over Preston; other tourney action

POCATELLO — The 2025 baseball season has not brought the results to which the Pocatello Thunder and head coach Vinnie Benevidez have grown accustomed.

For the first time since the 2015 season, the Thunder (9-16, 4-2) will finish the year with a sub-.500 record. But all that matters, as they say in sports, is making the postseason, and Pocatello is one win from punching its ticket to the super regional round following an 11-2 victory over Preston (7-11, 2-4), Wednesday.

The Thunder will now await the winner of Thursday’s matchup between Preston and Century (7-17, 3-3). Preston claimed a 10-7 win over the Diamondbacks in round one of the District 5 tournament, Tuesday.

Pocatello will host the winner of Thursday’s elimination game, at Halliwell Park Friday. If the Thunder win that game, they will clinch a spot in the 5A super regional round. If they lose, there will be a winner-take-all game on Saturday.

Elsewhere in District Tournament baseball

The Highland Rams will host the Madison Bobcats, Saturday at 4 p.m., for the 6A District 4-5-6 crown. Both teams have secured a seed in the super regionals, but the winner will host their super regional game. … Bonneville and Blackfoot will play Thursday for the 5A D6 championship, at Bonneville High School. Shelley, Hillcrest and Skyline all remain alive for a runners-up finish in the district tournament. … District tourney action in 4A D5 begins Thursday, at Marsh Valley High School. A district champion will be crowned Saturday — with a doubleheader set, if necessary, for the championship round. … South Fremont claimed a 2-0 series sweep over Teton in round one of the 4A D6 tournament, earning a showdown with top-seed Sugar-Salem. That best-of-three series will begin Friday at Sugar-Salem High School. … In 3A D4-5 action, Malad will host Declo, while Soda Springs will visit Wendell, Thursday. The winners will face-off Friday in the double-elimination tournament. … Firth and North Fremont have secured their spots in the 3A D6 tournament at Firth High School, and will battle Thursday. The winner advances to the district championship, while the loser will face Challi-Mackay, Saturday, for a chance at a rematch with the winner the same afternoon. … Softball district tournament play begins next week.