Barnes, Nicholson bring the defense against Trojans
—Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Sandpoint third baseman Sierra Nicholson, who had a stellar day defensively, applies the tag in a doubleheader against 5A Post Falls on Thursday.
POST FALLS — Kelsey Horn’s two-run double highlighted a six-run fifth inning that broke open the first game, and the Post Falls Trojans went on to sweep the Sandpoint Bulldogs 10-3 and 14-4 in nonleague softball play Thursday at Post Falls High.
Bri Baldree struck out five in the first game for the Bulldogs (12-7), keeping her team within one run until the Trojans 13-9) plated six runs in the fifth inning to blow a close game open.
Sandpoint head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams praised the defensive play of infielders Sierra Nicholson and Alison Calvert, and especially the play of Laurali Barnes in the outfield.
“Laurali had one of the best games she’s ever played,” praised Hawkins-Williams of her senior. “She had outstanding defense in the outfield.”
In the second game, Bri Baldree had a double and a triple for two of the Bulldogs’ three hits in the game, and Cody Baldree scored twice in the loss. Despite the loss, Hawkins-Williams thought her team competed hard against a solid 5A opponent.
“Bri pitched hard in both games,” said Hawkins-Williams, also praising the play of Sam Holland behind the dish. “Sam threw some base runners out, which was great to see.”
Brooke Bowers went 3 for 4, including a three-run homer in the fourth inning of the second game, and scored three runs for Post Falls.
The Bulldogs will now await the winner of Tuesday’s loser-out game between Lakeland and Moscow, and will host the 4A Region 1 championship game on Thursday, May 12 at 4 p.m.
FIRST GAME
Sandpoint 001 100 0 — 3 5 2
Post Falls 120 061 x — 10 11 1
Bri Baldree and Sam Holland; Amanda Rouse and Allison Morris. W — Rouse. L — Baldree.
HITS: Spt — C. Baldree, Barlow, Holland, Calvert, Crabb. PF — Goleeke 2, Gleaves, Melton 2, Bowers, Ekness, Jackson, Bowen, Morris, Horn. 2B — Holland, Horn, Bowen.
SECOND GAME
Sandpoint 200 020 — 4 3 4
Post Falls 411 413 — 14 14 3
Game called in 6th inning due to 10-run rule.
Bri Baldree; Audrey Matilla (6) and Sam Holland; Amanda Rouse and Allison Morris. W — Morris. L — Baldree.
HITS: Spt — Barlow, B. Baldree 2. PF — Goleeke, Gleaves 2, Bowers 3, Ekness, Jackson, Demute, Anderson 2, Morris 2, Bowen. 2B — B. Baldree, Goleeke. 3B — B. Baldree. HR — Bowers.