Nishimoto, Schwartz key sweep on Senior Night
<p>Sandpoint second baseman Zac Farrell shows some hustle by diving and just missing a ground ball in a sweep of the Spartans on Tuesday. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
SANDPOINT — Senior Caleb Nishimoto tossed a five-hitter and struck out six in the opener, and senior Ryan Schwartz smacked three hits in the nightcap, leading Sandpoint to a 12-2 and 7-3 sweep of Priest River on Tuesday during Senior Night at War Memorial Field.
The Bulldogs (3-12) plated eight runs in the first three innings of the opener, as Sam Nitcy, Nishimoto and Schwartz each had two hits, and B.J. Cable added two runs and two stolen bases. The run support proved plenty for Nishimoto, who threw six sharp innings as the game was called after six due to the 10 run rule.
“Caleb commanded the game, kept the ball down and got outs,” said Bulldogs head coach Chris Young, also praising the pitching of Chase Rodriguez, who struck out six and tossed a nine-hitter in the nightcap. “Our No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers dominated both of the games.”
Schwartz, Nishimoto and Orr each ripped a double to support Rodriguez in the second game, and Zac Farrell scored three runs as the Bulldogs scored three in the bottom of the sixth to put the game away.
Seniors Schwartz, Nishimoto, Nitcy, Orr, Cable, Jackson Olin, Daniel Thompson, Tyler Howk, Zach Envik and Iago Zametti were honored before their last home game.
Nick Farnham had a triple and a double among his four hits on the day for Priest River (6-9), and R.C. Akre also had four hits in defeat.
Sandpoint is at Lakeland on Thursday.
Game 1
Priest River 010 001 — 2 5 3
Sandpoint 323 004 — 12 9 1
Caleb Nishimoto and Justin Orr; R.C. Akre and Jesse Griffin. W — Nishimoto (2-3). L — Akre.
HITS: PR — R.C. Akre 2, Farnham 2, R. Akre 1. Spt — Nitcy 2, Schwartz 2, Nishimoto 2, Cable, Feyen, Rodriguez. 2B — Farnham, Nishimoto.
Game 2
Priest River 201 000 0 — 3 9 2
Sandpoint 201 013 x — 7 9 1
Ashton Brooks and Tyler Barber; Chase Rodriguez and Orr. W — Rodriguez (1-3). L — Brooks.
HITS: PR — R. C. Akre 2, Summer, Barber, Brooks, Farnham 2, Perkins, Griffin. Spt — Nitcy, Farrell, Schwartz 3, Nishimoto 2, Orr, Puryear. 2B — Summer, Schwartz, Nishimoto, Orr. 3B — Farnham.
n Softball canceled
The Sandpoint vs. Priest River softball doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday at Travers Park was canceled due to wet fields. No make up date has been announced.