Bulldogs honored with All-IEL softball selections
SANDPOINT — Seniors Rachel Hammack and Molly Givens, sophomore Maggie Kirscher and Sandpoint head coach Derek Dickinson were each honored this week as the 4A All-IEL softball team was announced, as voted on by the league’s coaches.
Kirscher, who burst onto the scene weilding a dangerous bat, was named the Newcomer of the Year, and Dickinson was named Coach of the Year, the first time he’s received the honor.
“It feels nice to be honored by the coaches in this league, but I think the girls deserve all the credit,” said Dickinson, who feels his program is on an upswing. “The girls have worked hard to bring back respect for Sandpoint softball. The results of wins and losses may still not be where we want, but the girls are competing at a much higher level than in recent years.”
Hammack, who will play next season at Saint Mary’s, set a new school record by batting .431, scoring a team-high 20 runs to go with 17 RBIs and three home runs, all why playing a new position.
“Rachel reached a whole new level this year offensively. She moved from a solid hitter to a great hitter,” said Dickinson. “Even though she had little experience as a catcher, she was definitely one of the best catchers in north Idaho this season.”
Kirscher also batted .431 to share the new team record, clubbing a team-high four home runs and 19 RBIs, while also scoring 15 runs. Along with Hammack and Givens, she provided the Bulldogs with a dangerous punch in the middle of the batting order.
“Maggie burst onto the IEL scene in style. Her Boise tournament performance was epic,” said Dickinson, who is counting on Kirscher to be one of his top pitchers next season. “There is a reason her nickname is ‘Crusher,’ she rarely gets cheated on any of her swings.”
Givens, who has been the staff ace for the past three years, was also named to the team, which didn’t denote positions for the first time. She boasted a respectable 2.50 ERA in a league with some of the top offenses in the state, and also batted .328 with 10 RBIs and nine runs to cap a nice all-around season.
“Molly played the game with unmatched passion and determination,” said Dickinson. “She poured everything she could into each game like it was her last. We will definitely miss her.”
4A INLAND EMPIRE LEAGUE
MVP — Alyana Watson, sr., Lakeland
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR — Maggie Kirscher, so., Sandpoint
COACH OF THE YEAR — Derek Dickinson, Sandpoint
ALL-LEAGUE
LAKELAND — Jamie Klopatek, sr.; Jordan Thomas, sr.; Rachel Grawcock, sr.; Chelsea Campbell, sr.; Dani Wessling, jr.; Alia Cox, jr. SANDPOINT — Molly Givens, sr.; Rachel Hammack, sr. MOSCOW — Raelynn Gosse, so.; Chrissy Hicks, so.; Nicolette Redinger, jr.; Amy Westberg, jr.