Barlow, Baldrees headline Bulldogs on all-league team
—Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Sophomore Sierra Nicholson was one of seven Bulldogs honored on the all-league team, bring a strong glove to the hot corner.
—Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Junior catcher Sam Holland was strong defensively behind the plate, and also hit three home runs offensively.
SANDPOINT — Led by freshman Bri Barlow winning Newcomer of the Year, and head coach Elizabethe Hawkins-Williams winning Coach of the Year, the Bulldogs finished with seven representatives on the 4A All-Inland Empire League softball team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.
The ample representation should surprise nobody, as the Bulldogs dominated league play en route to state. Leading the charge was leadoff hitter Barlow, who finished with a .416 average to go with a team-high 33 runs, 29 singles and 13 steals. She also posted a sparkling .906 average, including a couple of defensive gems at state.
“She is one of the smoothest, most natural infielders I’ve ever coached,” praised Hawkins-Williams of Barlow. “She very much deserved this award, because she was by far the best new player in the league.”
Sophomore Bri Baldree was voted the top pitcher after posting a 9-8 record, with 168 strikeouts while holding the opposition to a .278 average.
She also hit in the No. 3 hole, posting a team-high .514 average with eight doubles, four triples and 18 RBIs.
“Her maturity and growth from last year to this year put her in a league of her own when it came to pitching this year. She kept batters off balance all year by mixing up pitches and found a tremendous amount of success with this strategy,” said Hawkins Williams of her ace. “She also led the team in most of the hitting categories. This is a great accomplishment, because she was working hard every inning on the mound, and then would get up to the plate and crush the ball.”
Senior outfielder Cody Baldree made the team after hitting .489, with strong team high in on base percentage (.732) and slugging percentage (.787), including two home runs and a team-high 19 RBIs.
“She experienced a lot of growth as a teammate this year and stepped up to lead the outfield. She hit with a great amount of power, was able to drive in a lot of key RBIs and played nearly flawlessly in the outfield.”
Sophomore third baseman Sierra Nicholson hit .371 with 11 RBIs and a team-high 14 walks. The numbers don’t tell the whole tale with Nicholson, who had a penchant for coming through in the big moments.
“She was a clutch player this season. She made the defensive plays when we needed them, and hit in clutch situations to get us back into ball games,” praised Hawkins-Williams. “She exemplifies what it means to be a team player every day. I cannot say enough to explain how much her positivity helped her team.”
Senior second baseman Alison Calvert was also a hit machine, finishing with a .343 average and eight RBIs, getting on base more than half the time and providing senior leadership.
“She learned what it meant to be a leader for her team this year. She dug deep, hustled and played with heart,” claimed Hawkins-Williams. “She earned all-league through grit and determination this season.”
Junior catcher Sam Holland earned all-league with a thunderous bat and strong arm behind the plate. She hit .492 with three home runs and 18 RBIs, also recording a team-high 140 putouts while stifling opposing running games.
“She came back this season stronger and more determined. She didn’t pick off many runners this year, because, frankly, no one will run against her,” said Hawkins-Williams. “She is about as tough as you can get behind the plate and has improved as a leader this year as well.”
In just her second year at the helm, Hawkins-Williams was honored after posting a 13-8 record, which includes some tough 5A matchups. She led the Bulldogs to state for the first time since 2003, and with a bevy of strong underclassmen returning, it could just be the start.
She said it was a very rewarding year, and said it was largely due to her coaching staff in assistant coach Elizabeth Dalessio, pitching coach Gary Circo, hitting coach Jeff Johnson, and assistant coach Leah Platt.
“Because of their involvement, we were able to keep our players engaged and working hard at practice. This team came together and worked toward a common goal, which was exciting and fulfilling to witness. And then, they accomplished that goal,” described Hawkins-Williams. “These young women should be incredibly proud of themselves and what their team achieved this season. I also would not have been successful as a coach if it wasn’t for the support and love from my family.”
n 4A All-Inland Empire League softball team
MVP — Katie Kastning, LL, Jr.
Newcomer of the Year — Bri Barlow, Spt, Fr.
Coach of the Year — Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams
Pitcher — Bri Baldree, Spt, So.
Outfielders — Kari Prockish, LL, Sr.; Darby Litzko, LL, Sr.; Cody Baldree, Spt, Sr.; Reese Berley, Mos, Jr. Infielders — Alison Calvert, Spt, Sr.; Sierra Nicholson, Spt, So.; Kaitlin Watson, Mos, Sr.; Savannah Pruitt, LL, Sr. Catchers — Sarah Doty, Mos, Sr.; Sam Holland, Spt, Jr. Utility/Dh — Abby Leon, LL, So.