Sandpoint softball players excelling at regional level

by Eric Plummer Sports Editor
| June 17, 2015 7:00 AM

SANDPOINT — A trio of Sandpoint softball players are making their presence felt on some top level club teams in the region, and will get to play at some national-level tournaments this summer.

Sophomore Bri Baldree, fresh off a stellar freshman season for the Bulldogs, is playing for the North Idaho Xtreme 14U team, based out of Coeur d’Alene. She has already taken part in four tournaments, winning one, and is making her presence felt as both a hitter and pitcher. Baldree is hitting .536, has blasted two home runs and has posted a tidy 1.17 ERA on the mound. One of her homers traveled more than 220 feet.

Baldree will head to Portland this weekend for the Valley Invite, then will travel to the state tournament in July in Caldwell and the Western A Nationals on July 27 in Boise.

Senior Cody Baldree, who also had a strong season at Shortstop for Sandpoint, recently switched teams from the North Idaho Xtreme 97 to the Spokane Crash 18U Gold. Playing for the Xtreme was a great experience, but for Cody’s objectives, the Spokane Crash seemed like a better fit.

Cody is gearing up for a summer full of college exposure events, traveling to Portland, Colorado and California for the opportunity to play against the best players in the country.

Rounding out the trio is freshman Bri Barlow, who plays in the same league as Bri Baldree, but plays for the other of the two Xtreme 14U teams.

Barlow, who has played outfield and some infield, was recently moved to shortstop on the Xtreme team, one of the best in the Inland Northwest. The team has already won a tournament, and has a busy summer schedule.

Among the stops for Barlow’s team is Portland, and three California trips to Irvine, Huntington Beach and Fresno. She will also play in a regional tournament in Coeur d’Alene on July 18.

Barlow wished to thank Jalapeños, the 219 Lounge, Weekends and Company and Albertson/Barlow Insurance for their sponsorship help.

All three players are part of an emerging softball presence in Sandpoint.