Baldree pitching gem, huge comeback key as Bulldogs sweep Hawks

SANDPOINT — A pitching gem paved the way in the first game, then a huge comeback helped seal the nightcap, as Sandpoint swept Lakeland 12-3 and 13-11 in a pivotal 4A Inland Empire League softball doubleheader on Tuesday at Sandpoint Middle School.

Bri Baldree struck out 13 and gave up just seven hits in the opener for the Bulldogs (10-5, 5-1 4A IEL), who plated seven runs in the sixth inning to put a close game away. Bri Barlow scored three runs from the leadoff spot, and Baldree lined a triple among her two hits in the win.

Led by the hot bat of Katie Kastning, who had six hits in the doubleheader, the Hawks (6-9, 3-3 4A IEL) jumped out to an early 9-4 lead, finally able to score some runs against Baldree, and looked to be in control.

Led by a balanced offense, which saw Barlow, Sam Holland, Alison Calvert and Kenzie each pick up two hits and Bri and Cody Baldree each score three times, the Bulldogs steadily chipped away, scoring nine runs in the final three frames to earn the comeback win, and more importantly, an early leg up in the race to host districts and earn a first round bye.

“My team’s amazing, we came back and won,” said Bulldogs head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams. “They dug really deep today to win. They just chipped away each inning to get the win.”

Kaitlan Ward relieved Baldree in the fourth inning, and picked up the win after the Bulldogs offense got going late.

Despite the tough loss, Hawks coach Colleen Bevacqua said nothing has been decided yet, tipping her hat to the Bulldogs.

“They’re playing great ball this year,” said Bevacqua. “It will come down to the end.”

The two teams will do it again in another big league doubleheader on Saturday in Rathdrum.

Game 1

Lakeland 001 002 0 — 3 7 4

Sandpoint 220 017 X — 12 12 2

Kari Prockish and Abbey Leon; Bri Baldree and Sam Holland. W — Baldree. L — Prockish.

HITS: LL — Kastning 3, Litzko, Leon 2, Bodak. Spt — Barlow, C. Baldree, B. Baldree 2, Holland, Nicholson 2, Calvert 2, Moore, Darrah, Ward. 3B — B. Baldree.

Game 2

Lakeland 231 311 0 — 11 8 2

Sandpoint 013 243 X — 13 10 2

Brittany Charles, Prockish (5) and MaRynda Pehrson; B. Baldree, Kaitlan Ward (4) and Holland. W — Ward. L — Charles.

HITS: LL — Kastning 3, Leon 2, Prockish 2, Charles. Spt — Barlow 2, C. Baldree, B. Baldree, Holland 2, Calvert 2, Crabb 2. 2B — Crabb, Holland, C. Baldree, Prockish. 3B — Calvert, Leon.