Bulldog bats sizzle in sweep of south teams
BOISE — A long bus ride south seemed to awaken the Sandpoint softball team’s bats, as the Bulldogs exploded for 30 runs and picked up two solid wins Friday at the Idaho Sporting Goods Tournament in Boise.
The Bulldogs (2-4) banged out 13 hits and managed to overcome eight errors in a wild 14-13 win over 5A Borah, then hammered 4A Columbia 16-7, pounding out a whopping 19 base hits.
Maggie Kirscher had four hits, four runs and three RBIs against Columbia, and Molly Givens also smacked four hits and scored three times, part of a welcome hit parade for head coach Derek Dickinson.
“We brought our bats down with us, and stepped off the bus ready to hit,” he said. “We’re swinging aggressively, and the one through five hitters are just tearing it up.”
Brittany Johnson had five hits in the two games, Kym DaVault four and Rachel Hammack and Megan Hamilton three apiece in the two wins. Johnson, who was recently moved up from the JV, added a team-high four RBIs against Columbia, and Hamilton had two doubles and a triple among her three hits.
Kym DaVault (1-1) picked up the win over Borah, and Givens (1-2) helped keep Columbia in check. Lost amid the offensive pyrotechnics was some suspect defense, as the Bulldogs were able to overcome 10 errors on the day.
“We’re trying to get better defensively,” said Dickenson. “It’s still an area of concern.”
The Bulldogs fell 9-8 to Canyon Ridge late Thursday night, after a long bus trip south. They finish up the tournament today facing Skyview and Nampa.
Sandpoint 14 13 8
Borah 13 14 2
Kym DaVault, Molly Givens (3), DaVault (4) and Megan Hamilton. W — DaVault. HITS: Spt — Hamilton 2, Hammack 2, Kirscher 2, Givens 3, DaVault, St. Sauver, B. Johnson 2. 2B — Hamilton. 3B — Hamilton.
Sandpoint 16 19 2
Columbia 7 8 2
Givens, DaVault (5) and Hamilton. W — Givens. HITS: Spt — Hamilton, Hammack, Kirscher 4, Givens 4, DaVault 3, Quigley, St. Sauver, B. Johnson 3, Thoreson. 2B — Hamilton, Kirscher. 3B — Kirscher.