Spartans fall at districts; DeMent earns All-IML softball honor
—Photo by JIM MCKIERNAN Priest River catcher Jesi Huntley squares up a pitch. The Spartans season came to an end recently, but the future of the program is bright.
PRIEST RIVER — With their season hanging in the balance, the Spartan softball team did what it does best, raking the softball late to erase an early deficit and beat Kellogg 13-7 in a loser-out game at the 3A Region 1 softball tournament recently.
Kellogg came out hot, putting up four runs in the top of the first inning, while the Spartans couldn’t get much going early on. Melissa Krampert had three RBIs, and Heidi Janhsen and Emma Johnson each collected two hits as the Spartans plated eight runs in the final two frames.
“We got our bats going in the fifth and sixth innings, to eventually put it away,” said head coach Rob DeMent. “I was happy to see the bottom half of our batting order come through with some big hits, because Kellogg didn’t allow the meat of our order to hurt them.”
The win set up another loser-out game against the Badgers, and the Spartans could only muster three hits in a 7-0 loss to end their season.
Akre again went the distance, striking out four in the loss, while Morgan DeMent picked up two hits. Despite the loss, Rob DeMent felt his team played solid, but left runners on base early and never got going offensively.
With every starter returning, the future is bright for the program, which could be primed to contend for a league title next season.
“Had we gotten a timely hit, it could have changed the game. Rachel Akre pitched extremely well, with four strikeouts and no walks. We played the game we needed to play, we just couldn’t get the big hit we needed,” said DeMent. “I’m proud of the way we battled. It’s tough to end the season, but I’m excited that I get the entire group back next season. This group will be dangerous next year.”
Kellogg 401 200 0 — 7 10 2
Priest River 220 153 x — 13 15 3
Rachel Akre (W) and Jesi Huntley.
n DeMent named to All-Intermountain League softball team
After clouting a league-high 14 home runs, Morgan DeMent was the lone Spartan named to the All-Intermountain League softball team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.
“It was bittersweet because I’m proud of Morgan for having a great season, but I strongly felt at least a couple more of my players deserved a spot on that team,” said coach DeMent. “Our league is really strong right now, and loaded with good softball players.”