Around the Horn: Preston walks off with district title, Marsh Valley routs American Falls

EASTERN IDAHO — Preston is the latest local team to claim a spot in the state regional baseball tournament, winning the 5A District 5 championship in walk-off fashion Thursday.

Thursday’s light schedule also included Marsh Valley’s latest no-hitter in a 30-0 win over American Falls, Bear Lake winning at Snake River, and Malad shutting out Lighthouse Christian to launch its bid for repeat state titles.

Here is what happened Thursday on diamonds across eastern Idaho:

Pocatello @ Preston

Preston (13-9-1, 4-2) claimed its first district title since the formation of the 5A division’s current 5th District, beating Pocatello (14-13, 4-2) on a walk-off single from senior Treston Day.

Senior Conner Thomson gave Preston 6-2/3 solid innings, scattering four hits, three walks and five runs (four earned) while striking out seven. Thomson also gave his team two hits and two runs scored, including the final run of the game, when he scored from third on Day’s one-out, bases-loaded single in the bottom of the seventh.

The Thunder led 5-4 entering the final frame, needing to win the game to force a district-deciding game Friday. But junior Ezra Benevidez tied things with an RBI single, moving Thomson to third and setting the stage for Day’s heroics.

Lighthouse Christian @ Malad

The reigning 3A state champion Dragons (18-4, 5-0) won their first playoff game this season by mercy rule, beating Lighthouse Christian 10-0 in five innings.

All nine Malad players who got at-bats contributed a run, an RBI or both in a dominant offensive display.

That offensive outburst came in support of Holdyn Higley, who held the Lions to two hits and two walks while striking out seven in a 5-inning complete game shutout.

Malad advances to take on Wendell (13-9, 1-3) Friday. The winner of that game will guarantee one of 3A D4-5’s two state bids, with the winner of Saturday’s district championship game earning the right to host a state regional tournament.

Bear Lake @ Snake River, at Marsh Valley High School

The Bears (5-16-1, 1-5) were the only local team to win a road game Thursday, beating Snake River (6-16, 4-2) 13-12.

Junior Tate Ewing led the way for Bear Lake, going 3-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored and four RBIs. Sophomore Rylan Woolstenhulme added three RBIs, whit two more coming from junior Tyken Carlisle.

The Bears will face Marsh Valley (19-4, 6-0) Friday in the district tournament semifinals.

American Falls @ Marsh Valley

The Eagles showed once again Thursday that they can win games with pitching or offense, beating the Beavers (1-20, 1-5) 30-0.

Senior Boston Sorensen powered the Marsh Valley offense, homering twice and driving in eight runs. Senior Ethan Anderson also went deep and was one of five Eagles, including Sorensen, to tally multiple RBIs.

The monster performance at the dish was superfluous behind junior Denver Peterson, who tossed a no-hitter while striking out 13 and walking just one.

Marsh Valley will host Bear Lake at 11 a.m. Friday, with Snake River facing American Falls game, at 1:30 p.m., also at Marsh Valley High School, for the right to take on the loser of Marsh Valley-Bear Lake at 4 p.m.

The winner of the 4 p.m. game will take on the winner of the 11 a.m. game in Saturday’s 4A D5 championship round.