Bottomley sharp as Bulldogs win opener

FRENCHTOWN, Mont. — The Sandpoint softball team took all of one game to improve its win total from last year, downing Libby 7-4 in a season opening doubleheader on Saturday in Frenchtown.

Junior pitcher Casey Bottomley struck out six batters and scattered four runs around nine hits to pick up the win, as the Bulldogs staged a rally to score four runs in the final frame to pick up the win.

“It was a slow starter game offensively, but the bats heated up,” said head coach Derek Dickinson. “It’s nice to get a victory early in the season to take some pressure off a tough year last year.”

Melissa McGlashan ripped an RBI double to get the Bulldogs on the board in the fourth inning, and Maggie Kirscher added an RBI double among her two hits to start the rally in the seventh inning. Laurel Presser, Kyanna Quigley and Paula Hendrickson each laced two hits in the win.

The Bulldogs (1-1) then fell 11-1 to host Frenchtown in the second game, as the doubleheader was moved from Libby due to wet fields.

Despite the outcome, the Bulldogs were able to knock a lot of the rust away that simply can’t be knocked off in a gym.

“The weather in Frenchtown was very nice,” said Dickinson, who was thrilled for his team to get some field time. “Overall it was a good day and place to start our season. It beat the gym any day.”

Presser, Kirscher and McGlashan each had one hit in the loss, as the Bulldogs committed three errors behind Bottomley and Kirscher, who combined for five strikeouts in defeat.

Defensive miscues led to a 9-0 deficit after four innings against a solid Frenchtown team. The Bulldogs put the ball in play, striking out only four times, but simply couldn’t muster any offense with just three hits.

“We just need to work on hitting the ball with some more authority,” said Dickinson.

The softball team hosts Lakeland in a pivotal home opening doubleheader on April 12, provided the Travers Park fields are dry enough to play.

n Baseball opener postponed

SANDPOINT — The Bulldog baseball team’s season opener scheduled for last Thursday in Lewiston was postponed due to wet fields. Sitting just above sea level, Lewiston is usually the most dry area in North Idaho, but a wet March has rendered their fields unplayable.

Sandpoint is slated to open its season on Thursday, April 12 in a big 4A North game against Lakeland.