Errors hurt Bulldogs in softball tourney

Defensive errors hurt the Bulldogs in last week’s  ISG tournament as Sandpoint went 0-3-1, losing a couple of close games and tying Bishop Kelly in its first game.

“Pitching was a huge plus for us, especially Molly (Givens) and Kym (Da Vault) who spotted the ball well and mixed up their pitches,” said coach Dereck Dickinson. “I was really proud of our pitchers who kept us in the games and made the other teams put the ball in play to beat us.”

Givens finished the tournament with a 3.90 ERA and Da Vault had a 3.39 tournament ERA. Da Vault did not give up any walks and Givens also had seven 7 strikeouts for the tournament.

Offensive, Dickinson said the squad was led by Rachel Hammack, who went 6 for 12 on the tournament and had a couple of RBIs. Freshmen CJ Semones had a solid tournament by going 4-for-11 and Molly Givens had an .818 on base pecentage batting in the cleanup spot each game.

“We showed some bright spots with the bats but failed to capitalize enough with runners in scoring position,” Dickinson said.

The team’s 19 errors over the four-game tournament were costly, he said.

In spite of the errors, Dickinson said there were a number of bright spots.

Centerfielder Nicole Adams led the outfield with some nice catches and some great throws to gun down runners. Also, CJ Semones was rock solid at first base, making great stretches to get close outs and Meghan Hamilton showed a lot of promise at third base.

 “Overall, we have to tighten things up big time in the defensive department as we head into league play,” Dickinson said. “The tournament served as a learning process for our players and our coaches as we try to figure out where people should play.”

Game 1

Sandpoint — 6

Bishop Kelly — 6

    The Bulldogs had 11 hits but left 12 runners on base. Nicole Adams had an RBI double and was 2-for-4. Rachel Hammack was 2-for-3 and CJ Semones and Jessica Tucker both were 2-for-4 and an RBI. Molly Givens pitched the distance and scattered 6 runs on 8 hits. Only 3 runs were earned. The Bulldogs had 4 errors. SHS led 6-3 in the 7th and BK rallied to tie it. The time limit expired, preventing extra innings.

Game 2

Sandpoint — 1

Jerome — 8

    The Bulldogs struggled offensively and had just 5 hits. Rachel Hammack was 2-for-4 with a double. CJ Semones and Molly Givens also had doubles. The pitching was solid as Molly Givens and Kym DaVault only gave up 4 earned runs. The  Bulldogs made 5 errors.

Game 3

Sandpoint — 2

Meridian — 4

    SHS built a 2-0 lead after 3 innings. Unfortunately, the offense cooled off and stranded 6 runners. Rachel Hammack went 2-for-3 and had an RBI. Sierra Rodriguez came in off the bench and delivered a clunch RBI single. Kym DaVault was outstanding, giving up only 4 hits and only 1 earned run, keeping batters off balance. The Bulldogs had 3 errors.

Game 4

Sandpoint — 0

Boise — 10

    The Buldogs strugged offensively, managing only 1 hit and had 7 errors. Meghan Hamilton had the lone hit for us. Molly Givens, Kym DaVault and Rachel Hammack each pitched and only gave up 2 earned runs.