Ward wins MVP honors, leads six Bulldogs on All-IEL softball team

SANDPOINT — Junior second baseman Kaitlan Ward put up some gaudy offensive numbers this season, many of them coming against league rival Lakeland, earning her Most Valuable Player honor on the 4A All-Inland Empire League Softball Team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.

All told their were six Bulldog players named to the team, as well as Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams earning Coach of the Year, a testament to one of the program’s best ever seasons and a third place trophy at state.

Ward hit .367 on the year, with three home runs, 26 RBIs and 12 runs scored, and was strong defensively with a .943 fielding percentage. Ward was one home run away from tying the Bulldog record for homers held by Maggie Kirscher and one RBI from breaking Logan Free’s record, despite playing only 18 games on the season.

“She led the team in home runs and RBIs on the season, earning all of her home runs and 20 of her 26 RBIs in league play. Throughout the season she was a team player, filling in where we needed her in the field due to injuries and absence of her teammates, including pitching for several innings in one game even though she hadn’t pitched for a year,” described Hawkins-Williams, noting she volunteered to help her team. “Her defensive efforts in the district game against Lakeland were essential to our comeback victory. She made outstanding plays in that game, and played very hard and very smart all season and deserves this award.”

Junior ace Bri Baldree made the team as a pitcher, even though she was equally dangerous as a hitter. She slashed to the tune of .538, with 17 RBIs and 20 runs, while also going 10-2 with a 4.42 ERA on the mound. She led the team in hits and triples, and broke team record for batting average, ob base percentage and slugging percentage.

“She was explosive as a batter this season, and it was fun to watch. I had so much confidence in her this season no matter what aspect of the game it was. She was also the hardest strike out on the team,” noted Hawkins-Williams, as Baldree only whiffed four times all year. “She has worked in the off-season to increase her pitch repertoire and it paid off this year. The batters that have faced her for the last two seasons saw something different this year because of her continued development. She only committed one error on defense this season, which is a phenomenal feat as well.”

Senior catcher Sam Holland made the team for the third time, able to affect games offensively and defensively. She set a team record with 13 doubles, to go with a .368 average, 18 RBIs and 13 runs.

“The importance of her role on the field as a leader is something that will be difficult to replace next year. She kept runners from stealing with the strength of her arm and made good decisions due to her game experience as a four-year starter behind the plate,” said Hawkins-Williams. “She been part of a program that has gone from having a losing season her freshman year to earning a third place finish at state her senior year. She has been a key contributor to those program accomplishments.”

Sophomore shortstop Bri Barlow was a table-setter all season from the lead-off spot, hitting .400 and driving in 11, and leading the team with 21 runs and 10 stolen bases. She had great range on defense, and teamed with Ward for a strong double play combo.

“She has improved in her position over last season and watching her play in the field is a thing of beauty. She is one of the smoothest fielders I have ever seen, which was showcased at the state tournament this year. She turned multiple double plays there and played almost perfect in the field,” described Hawkins-Williams, noting Barlow excels under pressure. “On offense, she was a leader on the base path. She is a very smart base runner and has improved her base stealing prowess. She has a very bright future in this program and has a chance to be a four-year all-league player.”

Senior Kenzie Crabb made the team as an outfielder, after scoring 11 runs and boasting a .389 on-base percentage. Crabb is the classic player where stats don’t tell the tale of her value to the team, and she brought strong defense in center field.

“She was a team leader in work ethic, body language, effort, being coachable, doing extra, passion and leadership. Earning All-League probably doesn’t feel better for any player than her, because of how hard she had to work to get here,” said Hawkins-Williams. “She was great hitting ninth for us, because she consistently had one of the highest on base percentages on the team and led the team in walks all the way up to state. Her leadership and work ethic will be greatly missed.”

Senior Naomi Bradley missed her sophomore and junior season, and made up for lost time this year, coming on strong with a .316 average and 13 runs, as well as showing great range and speed in the outfield.

“The fact that she was able to come out as a senior and earn all-league honors is a testament to her athletic ability. She was able to use her speed on offense. She led the team in sacrifice bunts, but also had many infield singles on bunts this season. She is so fast that anytime she laid down a bunt, it could turn into a base hit,” described Hawkins-Williams. “I am proud of how much she has learned and how she has been able to apply that to being a good teammate. When we got down by four runs during the first game of state, no player was more encouraging and supportive than she was, and we ended up coming back to win that game.”

As to the coaching honor, Hawkins-Williams expressed gratitude to the school, parents, fans and community, as well as the huge support of her family. She admitted the weather made for a tough season, but the team worked together and supported each other, and were able to build team chemistry.

“They bought into the team first mentality, which led to so much success for them as a team. I had players stepping up whenever they were needed to do what was best for the team. This is why these players were able to come from behind so many times this season and perform so well at the state tournament,” she said. “They had so much belief in themselves and their teammates. This team was so special, and I feel so blessed to have been a part of their lives and their outstanding season.”

4A All-IEL Softball Team

MVP — Kaitlan Ward, Spt, Jr.

Newcomer of the Year — Taylor Woolley, LL, So.

Coach of the Year — Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams, Spt.

Pitchers — Bri Baldree, Spt, Jr.; Brittany Charles, LL, Sr.

Outfielders — Katie Kasting, LL, Sr.; Kenzie Crabb, Spt, Sr.; Mia O’Hara, LL, So.; Naomi Bradley, Spt, Sr.

Infielders — Nina Cook-Gallardo, Mos, Sr.; Bri Barlow, Spt, So.; Emma Carscallen, Mos, Sr.; Blayne Waters, Mos, Jr.

Catcher — Sam Holland, Spt, Sr.

DH/Utility — Abbey Leon, LL, Jr.