Big inning not enough as Bulldogs fall to Hawks

SANDPOINT — Zac Farrell, Ryan Schwartz, Caleb Nishimoto, Justin Orr and Chase Rodriguez each had a hit in the third inning as the Bulldogs exploded for six runs, but that was the only inning they would score in, as the Hawks rallied for a 7-6 win on Tuesday in 4A North baseball action at Pine St. Field.

Orr had three hits and Nic Farrell two for the Bulldogs (1-8, 0-5 4A IEL), who trailed 5-0 before the big inning gave them a brief lead. Lakeland starter Nathan Collier would recover and settle in, posting goose eggs the rest of the way.

The Hawks (9-3, 4-1 4A IEL) scored twice off Sandpoint starter Caleb Nishimoto in the fifth inning to take the lead for good.

“Things kind of fell apart out there,” said Hawks head coach Jason Bradbury of the third inning. “We got the momentum right back, Nathan settled in and that was huge for us.”

The Bulldogs are starting to show signs of life in the batting order, once again out-hitting an opponent but failing to get the win. Head coach Chris Young praised the solid bat of senior catcher Justin Orr.

“He hit the ball sharply three times in a row. Our bats are coming along,” said Young. “We’re hitting the ball 1-6, but we’re needing 7-9 to break out; once we do that we’ll be fine.”

Nishimoto went the distance on the mound for the Bulldogs, scattering eight singles and keeping his team in the game.

Lakeland is at Coeur d’Alene for a doubleheader today, while Sandpoint is at Lake City for a doubleheader.

Lakeland    1130200—782

Sandpoint    0060000—6102

Nathan Collier and James Prockish; Caleb Nishimoto and Justin Orr. W — Collier. L — Nishimoto (1-3).

HITS: LL — Carr, Schwalbach, Cooper, Collier 2, Prockish 2, Johnson. Spt — Nitcy, Farrell 2, Schwartz, Nishimoto, Olin, Orr 3, Rodriguez. 2B — Farrell.