Stangel no-hitter leads T-Wolves past Bulldogs
<p>Freshman Cody Baldree and the Bulldogs faced arguably the top pitcher in the state on Thursday. (Photo by ERIC PLUMMER)</p>
SANDPOINT — It’s never fun to lose 14-0, but Sandpoint can at least take some solace after being shutout by Lake City in a nonleague softball game on Thursday at Sandpoint Middle School.
Casey Stangel, who signed to pitch with Missouri last year as a junior, tossed a no-hitter to lead the Timberwolves (15-0), the top-ranked team in the state of Idaho. Jordyn McCracken hit a grand slam, Lindsey Willmon added a home run and Vanessa Shippy, who recently signed to play at Oklahoma State, laced four hits and stole three bases to lead the offensive onslaught.
While the score wasn’t easy to take for Bulldogs head coach Derek Dickinson, it wasn’t any worse than the 14-1 beating the T-Wolves gave perennial 5A power Coeur d’Alene or the 25-2 pasting they put on Post Falls.
“Stangel is the X-factor,” said Dickenson of the flame throwing pitcher who ran her record to 15-0. “She separates them from other teams.”
Even though the Bulldogs (4-8) were unable to muster a hit, it wasn’t because of a poor approac, they simply ran into a buzz saw.
“We were aggressive, we weren’t scared,” said Dickenson of his team’s at-bats. “We were swinging. All you can ask as a coach is to get out there and take some hacks.”
The Bulldogs travel south to face Lakeland in a huge 4A Inland Empire League showdown on Saturday, with the right to host districts at stake. The Hawks lost 8-7 to Post Falls on Thursday, and the Bulldogs swept the Trojans.
Lake City 631 04 — 14 14 0
Sandpoint 000 00 — 0 0 4
Game called after 5-innings due to 10-run rule.
Casey Stangel and Lindsey Willmon; Casey Bottomley and Jessica Strickland. W — Stangel (15-0). L — Bottomley (4-8).
Hits: LC — Shippy 4, Wilson 2, Stangel, Willmon 2, Jackson 3, Wilson, McCracken. Spt — None. HR — Willmon, McCracken.