Givens tosses gem in hard-luck loss to Hawks

RATHDRUM — Lakeland pitcher Jamie Klopatek struck out 12 batters while giving up three hits and three walks, and the Hawks took advantage of 11 Sandpoint (1-24) errors in a win in the opening game of the 4A Region 1 softball tournament.

Jordan Thomas recorded a pair of hits and scored a run. Alisha Watson and Alia Cox also scored runs for Lakeland (12-12), which plays at top-seeded Moscow (8-15) today at 4 p.m. Sandpoint, which outwill play the loser of that contest on Thursday.

Molly Givens was solid on the mound in defeat, holding the Hawks to only four hits while going the distance. Defensive miscues proved costly, as the Hawks did all of their damage offensively in a pivotal three run third inning.

“Molly pitched a whale of a game; kept us in it,” said head coach Derek Dickinson, whose team continues to close the gap each time they play Lakeland. “We were right where we needed to be and had our chances. We played competitive ball and I’m hoping it will carry over into our next game.”

Sandpoint 000 100 0 — 1 5 11

Lakeland 003 000 x — 3 4 3

Molly Givens and Cometto; Jamie Klopatek and Erin O’Hara. W — Klopatek. L — Givens.

HITS: Spt — Adams, Marienau, Hammack 2, Sheldon, Adams. Lak — Thomas 2, Biggs, Klopatek. 2B — Biggs.