Cubs at Wooden Bat Tourney

KENNEWICK - The Lewis-Clark Cubs tallied 12 hits during an offensive outburst against Lakeside Recovery of Bellevue, Wash., but the effort was not enough as the team fell in a 6-4 contest during the Duster Bowl in Kennewick.

"We definitely hit the ball well this game," Cubs coach Ramon Royce said. "We were able to mount a comeback, but we fell just short."

Lewis-Clark (6-12) carried a 1-0 lead into the top of the fifth inning, but Lakeside took advantage of several defensive miscues to post a five-run frame.

"We had a hit-by-pitch, an error and then another hit," Royce said. "We left some balls up and they capitalized on it. It seems like one inning has been haunting us, we've just got to play solid defense for seven innings rather than six."

The Cubs enjoyed a strong start from Carter Stamper, who tallied seven strikeouts and held his opponent to two walks.

"Stamper definitely gave us a shot to win that game," Royce said. "He was in balance and found the zone, but they just capitalized on some mistakes. Overall, it was his best outing of the year."

Trayton Skinner propelled Lewis-Clark at the plate with three hits in the loss.

"He gets on base and has been putting together some good quality at-bats," Royce said. "He's been working his count and being patient and getting his pitch."

The Cubs skipper said his team was not slowed down by the use of wood bats, which are a required component of the tournament.

"A bunch of guys bought some sticks, so we definitely did some extra hitting with the wood," Royce said. "It seems like we've been hitting pretty well in the Tri-Cities, so there must be something in the air."

Lewis-Clark continues tournament play today with a noon meeting against Snohomish.

Lakeside 000 050 1-6 5 1

Lewis-Clark 000 110 2-4 12 2

Depalo and L. Bell. Carter Stamper, Keegan Tanata (6) and Tui Moliga.

Lakeside hits - Wickstrom, Bell, Park, Vicky, Pasion.

Lewis-Clark hits - Tyson Wallace, Tui Moliga 2 (2B), Coy Stout (2B), Garret Beckman, Trayton Skinner 3, Treyson Lejameyer 2, George Lopez (2B).