AMERICAN FALLS — RiLee Lutz versus Riley Morris.

    Senior against freshman.

    That was the match-up in the circle Wednesday as host American Falls took on 3A Fifth District rival Bear Lake on a cold, windy and snow flurry filled afternoon.

    Lutz has tore through district opponents, not allowing a single run in earlier meeting with Snake River and Marsh Valley.

    The senior did one better Wednesday, throwing a no-hitter in a 12-0 six-inning win over the Beavers.

    American Falls had just five runners reach base, three via walks and two were hit by pitches. Only one of the five got further than second base.

    Lutz struck out 10 Beaver batters on the way to the victory.

    Morris was equally as effective in her first two innings in the circle for American Falls. Her ability to change speeds had the free-swinging Bears on their toes. When they were able to connect with a pitch, the Beavers’ defense made the plays.

    Bear Lake’s bats came alive in the third.

    Maura Hemmert led off the inning with a double and was moved to third on a sacrifice bunt form Madison Schwarting.

    After a popout to third base by Kendal Jacobsen, it appeared that the Bears would leave the first run of the game stranded on third base.

    Sammy Hiller had another idea.

     The junior center fielder laced a triple down the left field line, driving home Hemmert to get the Bears on board.

    Bear Lake did not stop there.

    Tahnee Saxton singled to drive home Hiller. Lutz doubled to drive home Saxton and Olivia Harrison singled, driving home pinch runner Hailey Singleton. Just like that the Bears had a 4-0 lead.

    Bear Lake added a run in the fourth on a squeeze bunt by Jacobsen and another in the fifth on an RBI single by LaShea Peterson.

    With more than enough runs on the board, Lutz continued to dominate the Beavers’ order.

    The no-hitter was almost spoiled in the sixth inning by American Falls catcher Ryan Hohenfield.

    On a 3-2 pitch Hohenfield had a late offering at a pitch an flared it just out of reach of the third baseman.

    Luckily for Lutz the ball landed in foul territory.

    Bear Lake sent 10 hitters to the plate in a six-run top half of the sixth inning.

    The Bears got RBI hits from Hiller and Saxton and took advantage of three American Falls errors for three more runs to close out the game.

    Saxton led the Bears at the plate, going 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Hiller added another two hits and two RBI.

    Morris struck out three in the complete game loss for American Falls.

    Both teams take to the field on Friday when they begin play in the Malad Tournament.

Bear Lake 12, American Falls 0, 6 inn

Bear Lake    004    116 — 12    14 0

American Falls    000    000  — 0 0 3

Bear Lake — RiLee Lutz and Tahnee Saxton. American Falls — Riley Morris and Ryan Hohenfield. 2B — Kendal Jacobsen (BL), Tahnee Saxton (BL)2, RiLee Lutz (BL), Maura Hemmert (BL). 3B — Sammy Hiller (BL).