Bulldogs post third straight comeback win

SANDPOINT — A little bit of moxie, mixed with some timely hitting, helped the Bulldogs notch their third straight come-from-behind win, downing the Badgers 6-5 on Thursday in nonleague softball action at Sandpoint Middle School.

Sandpoint (5-5) trailed 4-2 heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, before a Sam Holland RBI single and a two-run homer from Cody Baldree, her third bomb in the past two games, led to a four run sixth inning. After rallying twice to beat Moscow earlier in the week, Bulldogs head coach Elizabeth Hawkins loves the resolve her team is showing.

“That’s the third comeback win in a row,” she said. “It says a lot for the team’s grit and determination to win.”

Nycole Moreland got the start and threw four frames for Sandpoint, Danika Moore pitched a scoreless fifth and Bri Baldree came in to earn the win, as Hawkins got a chance to get all three of her hurlers some work.

“All three of my pitchers threw great today, which was great to see,” said Hawkins. “Bonners played really good defense, they came to play. We needed it (Baldree’s homer) to spark the team.”

The Bulldogs hit a lot of balls hard, but the Badgers seemed to make every routine play to keep the score low.

Kadi Bateman scalded a triple and two doubles to lead a game Badgers squad, holding the Bulldogs to two runs through five innings with some strong mound work from Nicole Donn and a solid defense.

Sandpoint hosts Moscow in a big 4A North doubleheader on Tuesday, seeking a season sweep.

Bonners Ferry 102 100 1 — 5 8 1

Sandpoint 200 004 X — 6 4 2

Nicole Donn and Avery Lane; Nycole Moreland, Danika Moore (4), Bri Baldree (5) and Cheri-Lyn Darrah and Sam Holland (5). W — Baldree. L — Donn.

HITS: BF — Bateman 3, Jar. Bennett, Jad. Bennett, Lane, Donn. Spt — B. Baldree, Holland, C. Baldree, Calvert. 2B — Bateman 2. 3B — Bateman. HR — C. Baldree.