Holland homers, Baldree sisters shine in rout

MOSCOW — Getting monster contributions from the entire lineup, the Bulldogs put up crooked numbers early and often in an 18-1 dispatching of Moscow in the opener of a doubleheader split on Tuesday in 4A Inland Empire League softball action at Moscow High School.

Sam Holland hit her second home run of the season and also added a double, Bri Barlow tallied three hits and two runs, Kaitlin Ward four RBIs and three runs, Bri Baldree three hits and three RBIs, Alison Calvert three hits and three runs, Cody Baldree three runs and two RBIs and Sierra Nicholson two hits for the Bulldogs (8-5, 3-1 4A IEL), who battered the Bears’ pitchers from the first pitch on.

“Everyone was selective, picking good pitches to hit and swinging hard,” described Bulldogs head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams. “Kaitlin is very confident in the batter’s box, and they (Moscow) couldn’t pitch anything to Sam that she couldn’t hit.”

Bri Baldree struck out six in the five inning win in the opener.

The Bears (1-5 4A IEL) turned the tide in the nightcap, picking up their defense and winning 8-3 to earn their first league win.

“We put balls in play, the Moscow defense was just very good in the second game,” said Hawkins-Williams.

Bri Baldree struck out nine and also picked up two hits in the loss. Holland picked up another two hits, including a double, Calvert ripped a double, and Ward, Barlow and Nicholson each picked up hits in the loss.

With Lakeland sitting at 2-0 in league play after sweeping the Bears, the Bulldogs control their own destiny in the race to earn home field advantage in the district playoffs.

“We’re in a good spot,” said Hawkins’ Williams, whose team still have four games left against the Hawks. “We’re looking to take the lead next week.”

The Bulldogs host Lakeland on Tuesday in arguably the biggest games in Sandpoint in a decade.