Speelmon, Bottomley lead Bulldogs in defeat

SANDPOINT — Sandpoint came out with some offensive energy to take an early 4-1 lead, but Lakeland managed to claw back and earn a 9-5 win in 4A Inland Empire League softball on Tuesday at Sandpoint Middle School.

Erin Ogden had three hits, including a double, to lead the Hawks (6-4, 2-0 4A IEL), and Kristin Klopatek struck out 11 batters as the Hawks scored eight unanswered runs after the second inning deficit.

“We strung hits together when we needed to,” said Hawks coach Colleen Bevacqua, praising the play of Sandpoint in two league meetings. “They’re coming out strong this year.”

Casey Bottomley was wheeling and dealing for the Bulldogs (1-5, 0-2 4A IEL), striking out 12 and allowing just six hits while going the distance in defeat.

Jordan Speelmon laced three hits, including two doubles, Breanna Buchmiller added two hits and Lucy Calvert drove in two runs to lead the Bulldogs’ offense, which out-hit the Hawks 8-6 on the day.

Bulldogs’ head coach Derek Dickinson felt his team had better at-bats than in the first meeting, as evidenced by the four-run second inning.

“Good things happen when you put the ball in play,” said Dickenson, lamenting six costly errors. “Unfortunately, we took a major step back with the defense.”

Sandpoint hosts Post Falls on Thursday.

Lakeland   103 500 0 — 9  6  1

Sandpoint  040 010 0 — 5 8  6

Kristen Klopatek and Tifani Schorzman; Casey Bottomley and Jessica Strickland. W — Klopatek. L — Bottomley (1-5).

Hits: LL — Schwalbach, Ogden 3, Kastning, Prockish. Spt — Speelmon 3, Buchmiller 2, Baldree, Calvert, Smith. 2B — Kastning, Ogden, Baldree, Speelmon 2.