Kunes Beats the Heat and Missoula, 8-4

By ERIC MITCHELL

Aug. 16, 1997 12 AM PT

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

BOISE, Idaho — The weather was hot but Mike Kunes was hotter, pitching Valley North to an 8-4 victory over Missoula, Mont., in the first round of the American Legion Baseball Region 7 tournament on Friday.

Kunes, a 15-year-old Chatsworth High student, pitched a complete game, allowing four runs on nine hits to improve to 13-0. Kunes’ only shortcoming on the day was going 0 for 5 at the plate.

“Kunes did not have his best stuff,” Valley North Manager Matt LaCour said. “He had what he needed to finish the game.

“We’re short on pitching so going nine innings gives the others a chance to start later.”

Valley North, which has won 13 consecutive playoff games, will play the Boise Gems today at 4:05 p.m. PDT.

The Gems, the Idaho state champions, defeated Bellevue, Wash., 17-8, in the eight-team, double-elimination tournament on Friday.

Despite the morning start, the temperature was already approaching the mid 80s on its way to a high of 90.

“We’re accustomed to the heat,” LaCour said. “It’s nothing new to us so that’s the least of my concerns.”

Valley North’s leadoff hitter, Ryan Gant, singled to right center to start the game and was later thrown out trying to steal home.

Micah Berger, Frank DiPoma and Danny Eisenberg had two runs batted in each for Valley North.

Eisenberg hit a home run in the top of the second over a 16-foot wall in right-center field.

“The ball was jumping,” Eisenberg said. “In this thin air you just get it up and it travels.”

Montana scored twice in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead.

Valley North answered in the fifth with three runs to lead, 4-2. Shortstop Matt Fisher and Gant each singled and Tim Weigand was hit by a pitch by Montana starter Jesse Coulton to load the bases.

A sacrifice fly by Tom Morefield scored Fisher.

Berger was hit by Coulton, reloading the bases.

DiPoma doubled to right to score Gant and Weigand.

Valley North scored another run in the sixth.

Weigand’s single to center scored Gant from second.

Montana cut the lead to 5-4 with two runs in the sixth inning, but got no closer.

Eisenberg got another RBI in the seventh with a triple that scored Berger. Berger hit a two-run homer in the ninth.

“This was the worst hitting game we’ve had in a while,” said LaCour. “If we play solid and don’t give up any plays on defense we are fine.

“This team waits for the other team to [upset them] before they make their move. Being down 2-1 didn’t concern me.”

The winner of the tournament advances to the national tournament next week in Rapid City, South Dakota.

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American Legion Baseball Region 7 Tournament