Lichty throws four-hit gem as Bulldogs blank Lakeland 8-0

RATHDRUM — Tyler Lichty allowed only four hits and struck out 12 Lakeland hitters as the Bulldogs shut down the Hawks in an Inland Empire League matchup.

In the top of the fourth inning, Woody Hawkins hit a bases-loaded shot to left center and the outfielders' ensuing miscommunication allowed the ball to drop in, resulting in two runs for Sandpoint (9-10, 6-6 IEL). Ricky Stewart also had an RBI single in the six-run inning, and Cole Tonnemacher went 3-3 at the plate, but the day belonged to Lichty, arguably the best pitcher in North Idaho.

"We can't take anything away from Lichty," Lakeland coach Jason Bradbury said. "He was locating his curveball and he must have been throwing in the low 90-mile-per-hour range.

"We just couldn't get the timely hits we needed."

Sandpoint coach Mike Givens said Lichty was throwing a lot of first pitch strikes, and his mix of speed kept Lakeland hitters off balance.

"His off-speed pitches were the difference," said Givens of Lichty. "He threw change ups for strikes."

Sandpoint hosts Lake City on Thursday.

Sandpoint 000 620 0 — 8 8 0

Lakeland 000 100 0 — 1 4 0

Tyler Lichty and Cody Reichart; Cameron Garcia, Gil South (5) and C.J. Schelin. W — Lichty. L — Garcia (1-3).

HITS: Spt — C. Hawkins, Lichty, Tonnamacher 3, W. Hawkins, Stewart 2. LL — Marks, Bruner, Vandever, Rohrenbach. 2B — C. Hawkins, Stewart.

? Sandpoint softball team falls 9-1 to Lake City

SANDPOINT — While the final score might not have said so, the Sandpoint softball team had their best defensive game of the season Thursday afternoon at Travers Park, falling 9-1 to Lake City.

"We competed for seven," said Bulldogs' coach Derek Dickinson. "I know it's a moral victory, but we'll take it."

Richelle Fenenbock had three of Lake City's 11 hits as the Timberwolves (11-4, 6-3) were kept off balance by some crafty off-speed pitches from Sara Murphy.

"It was nice to see us adjust timing-wise to the slower pitches," said Lake City coach Laura Tolzmann, whose team is among the best in the state. "At least we were all in the box aggressive, wanting to hit."

Sandpoint (2-11, 0-9) had some sparkling defensive plays behind Murphy. Dickinson said shortstop Molly Givens stood out as she had a lot of balls hit at her and was able to make all of the plays. Kyra Crabb and Kim Guercio each made nice plays, and catcher Macaela Brady blocked a lot of balls to keep runners from advancing.

Errors have plagued the Bulldogs' all season, but Thursday the defense kept them in the game by making the routine plays.

"The last two days we buried the bats, literally, to work on defense," said Dickinson. "We re-dedicated to it, re-focused."

Catcher Macaela Brady and outfielder Amanda Rodriguez each hit towering shots that carried over the Lake City outfielders, but the Bulldogs could only manage three hits against solid Lake City pitching.

Sandpoint hosts Post Falls, 18-1 losers at Coeur d'Alene on Thursday, today at 3 p.m. at Travers Park.

Lake City 130 005 0 — 9 11 3

Sandpoint 000 001 0 — 1 3 1

Kim Lynn, Lela Work (4) and Janey Ortega; Sara Murphy, Kyra Crabb (6) and Macaela Brady. W — Lynn (7-1). L — Murphy (1-3).

HITS: LC — Fenenbock 3, Waide, Work, Krier 2, Harbour, Petersen, Schneider, Hall. Spt — Brady, Rodriguez, Crabb. 2B — Schneider, Rodriguez. 3B — Krier, Brady.

? Clark Fork tennis team downs Troy 9-3

Rayna Allen, Chelsea Macumber, Frederico Moreira and Thomas McMahon each won a singles and doubles match as the Clark Fork tennis team beat Troy, Mont., 9-3 Thursday afternoon at Troy.

Head coach Lisa Allen was especially pleased with the play of her boys doubles teams. Mike Martin teamed with McMahon, and Shawn Oh with Moreira to dispatch Troy's doubles teams, losing only three games in the four sets.

Clark Fork will play at Sandpoint next Tuesday in what figures to be a hotly contested match.

GIRLS SINGLES — No.1, Rayna Allen, CF, d. Kailee Reisen 6-0, 6-1. No. 2, Fay Stepley, Troy, d. Amy Gannon 6-3, 4-6, 3-6. No. 3, Chelsea Macumber, CF, d. Tia Davenport 6-2, 6-2. No. 4, Hanna Hurt, CF, d. Ashley Stenley 8-5.

BOYS SINGLES — No. 1, Frederico Moreira, CF, d. Angelo Chiovanini 6-2, 6-0. No. 2, Thomas McMahon, CF, d. Brent Caddy 6-2, 6-0. No. 3, Cole Hawkins, Troy, d. Jonathan Cornwall 6-3, 6-4. No. 4, Scott Reban, Troy, d. Cornwall 8-2.

GIRLS DOUBLES — No. 1, Allen/Gannon, CF, d. Reiser/Steppler 8-1. No 2, Macumber/Kandace Daniels, CF, d. Marshall/Smith 8-2.

BOYS DOUBLES — No. 1, Mike Martin/McMahon, CF, d. Garrett/Day 6-0, 6-2. No. 2, Shawn Oh /Moreira, CF, d. Sonlesa/Van Bit 6-0, 6-1.