SHS baseball, softball seasons come to end
MOSCOW — The Sandpoint baseball team’s season came to an end Friday in Moscow, as Bears’ ace Zack Hull tossed a four-hitter to lead Moscow to an 8-2 win and the 4A Region 1 championship.
Moscow made a gutsy move and opted not to throw Hull in the Bears’ win over Lakeland earlier in the week, instead saving him for the more dangerous Bulldogs, who would have had to beat Moscow twice in a row to earn the lone 4A North berth at state.
When the Bulldogs faced Hull earlier in the season, Cole Tonnemacher out-pitched him and Ben Fisher stole home off him for a thrilling 3-2 win. On Friday, Moscow swung the bats better and provided plenty of run support, taking any drama out of the game.
“They didn’t crush the ball, but they got timely hits,” said Sandpoint coach Chris Young of Moscow. “We fought to the end, but it would have been a tough chore to come down and beat them twice.”
Nick Halpin had two hits to lead Sandpoint (9-18), which managed just four hits on the day. Despite the seasonending on Friday, Young felt food about his team’s season.
“A wonderful group of kids for my first year coaching at Sandpoint,” said Young. “I’m going to miss those seniors.”
Sandpoint 000 200 0 — 2 4 1
Moscow 003 113 0 — 8 7 0
Cole Tonnemacher, David Dishong (5), Daniel Charvoz (6) and Jonas Cafferty; Zack Hull and Sanchez. W — Hull. L — Tonnemacher.
HITS: Spt — Halpin 2, Semones, Fisher. 2B — Semones.
Bulldogs stage late rally in loss to Lakeland
SANDPOINT — Softball wasn’t meant to be played on mud or amid a steady downpour of rain, but a recent spate of inclement weather left Lakeland and Sandpoint with no choice but to battle it out Friday afternoon in a 4A Region 1 loser-out game at Travers Park.
Lakeland (15-11) made the most of the brutal conditions, plating 11 runs in the third inning, before holding on for a wild 14-12 win in a game that was called after five innings.
Chelsea Campbell and Jordan Thomas each scored three runs to lead the Hawks, who held a comfortable 13-2 lead at one point in the game. In the final two innings, the balls were so wet and slippery that pitcher Jamie Klopatek was having difficulty throwing a strike.
Molly Givens had three hits and three RBIs to lead Sandpoint (2-18), which scored 10 runs in the final two innings to make the game interesting. Down 14-12, the Bulldogs had the bases loaded and the winning run on first when Klopatek recorded the game’s final out on a called third strike.
“We made the most of it and didn’t let the weather get to us,” said Sandpoint coach Derek Dickenson, who loved the heart his team showed to battle back. “As the weather got worse it sort of lifted our spirits and we battled with them. It was fun to be competitive and go down fighting.”
Lakeland plays at Moscow today, needing to beat the Bears twice to earn the lone 4A North berth at state.
Lakeland20(11)01—14101
Sandpoint20064—1254
Alisha Watson, Jamie Klopatek (4) and Alia Cox; Molly Givens, Kym DaVault (3) and Jesse Mead. W — Klopatek. L — DaVault.
HITS: LL — Campbell 3, Thomas, Cox 3, Klopatek, Neelon, Jacobson. Spt — Givens 3, Mead, Adams. 2B — Cox, Klopatek, Givens, Neelon. 3B — Thomas.