Bulldogs asking 'why not us' this season

SANDPOINT — Stealing a successful page from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, Sandpoint head softball coach Derek Dickinson has been preaching a “why not us” philosophy to his team this year, hoping to ride some power bats to a district title and trip to state.

The Bulldogs boast as many as five players in the lineup capable of leaving the yard with one swing, and the strength of the team is clearly offense, namely power hitters. It’s been nearly a decade since the Bulldog softball team went to state, and Dickinson feels like his team might just be able to score enough runs to make it happen this season.

“We’re close. I’d be lying if I didn’t say we had a shot at state. That’s our goal,” says Dickinson, who feels his team is right there with Lakeland and Moscow talent-wise. “It’s going to be a wide open battle. It will be a work in progress, but we’re worried about how we’re going to play in game No. 22. Why not us? It’s time to make it happen.”

Leading the charge will be sophomore shortstop Cody Baldree, who will hit third in a lineup while playing solid defense. Featuring a smooth and powerful swing, Baldree can hammer balls into the gaps and has plus speed on the base paths.

“She’ll need to lead us offensively, get on base and cause havoc,” predicts Dickinson. “We’ll rely on her to drive in runs. She can play anywhere defensively.”

Batting leadoff will be senior second baseman Breanna Buchmiller, a four year varsity player who has improved each year in the program. Dickinson loves her defense and her intensity, and will count on her to provide some much-needed senior leadership.

“She’s a gamer,” says Dickinson. “She ups her game and competes at a high level.”

Batting cleanup will be junior third baseman Morgan Bluemer, who has improved defensively as she enters her third year on varsity. The left-handed hitter can pound the ball, and might be ready to make the jump up to an elite-level hitter.

Along with Bluemer and Baldree, junior pitcher Lucinda Calvert, junior first baseman Topi Elsfelder and freshman catcher Sam Holland all boast home run power. Elsfelder hit a home run in districts, and will be looking to carry that momentum into this season.

“We’re going to score some runs. We should hit the ball one through nine, everybody is dangerous with the bat,” predicts Dickinson. “We’re not fast, we’ll have to rely on people hitting the gaps, with a few long balls.”

The Bulldogs finished 7-11 last year, including 3-5 in league play, but will need to replace pitcher Casey Bottomley, who figured in all but one of those decisions on the mound.

Stepping into the role of staff ace is Calvert, who features a strong change up and drop ball and will depend more on location than velocity.

“She’s going to throw strikes. She won’t strike out a lot of hitters, but won’t walk people,” says Dickinson, also lauding Calvert’s bat. “She swings the bat really hard, a little dynamo. She’s somebody we’ll rely on to drive in runs.”

After Calvert, Baldree will be the No. 2 pitcher in the rotation, featuring more power and giving opposing teams a different look when she takes the mound.

Buchmiller would love the opportunity to play at state as a senior, and feels this team is really close knit and might have the team chemistry to make it happen.

“We have a really good chance this year, more than any other year,” she says. “We’ve worked so hard in the off-season, we really deserve it.”

The Bulldogs kick off the season today with a doubleheader against 5A power Coeur d’Alene, with first pitch at 2 p.m. Both the baseball and softball games were moved south due to wet field conditions.