Barlow, Baldree lead Bulldogs in league sweep
(Photo by JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY) Kaitlan Ward scored five runs on Thursday to help the Bulldogs sweep the Bears.
SANDPOINT — Bri Barlow continued her hot hitting, running her hitting streak to 15 games with a home run and double among her five hits in the Bulldogs’ 8-7, 13-11 sweep of Moscow in 4A Inland Empire League softball Thursday at Sandpoint Middle School.
The wins earned Sandpoint a season sweep of the Bears, but also signified progress.
“This team has been struggling with the mental side of the game,” said Bulldogs coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams. “Today, we overcame that to get the win.”
Bri Baldree picked up the win in the opener, striking out 10 batters before tiring at the end as the Bears plated four runs in the top of the seventh to make things interesting. Barlow had three hits and scored three times, and Kaitlan Ward and Baldree each scored twice to lead the Bulldogs (6-7, 5-1), who are in the driver’s seat in the race to host districts.
In game two, Barlow had an inside the park home run and a double and scored three runs, and Ward scored three times to win a back and forth affair. Sandpoint led 7-3 heading into the fifth, before the Bears plated sevent runs and took a 10-7 lead. The Bulldogs bounced back with a five run inning of their own, and Tanis Davis came in and closed things out in the final two frames.
“This is a huge stepping stone for this team to have a game like that and come back and win,” said Hawkins-Williams, praising her Bris in the sweep. “Bri (Baldree) pitched a great game. She looks like she’s back in her true form. Barlow is on a 15 game hitting streak, that’s a huge streak. Huge year offensively.”
Baldree, Ward, Audrey Mattila and manager Logan Sanborn were honored on Senior Day.
Sandpoint hosts Lakeland today in the second consecutive league doubleheader, so pitching depth will once again be tested. First pitch is 2 p.m. at Sandpoint Middle School.
Game 1
Moscow 001 002 4 — 7 6 5
Sandpoint 104 210 x — 8 9 1
Bri Baldree and Ember Dewey. W — Baldree (3-4)
Spt hits — Barlow 3, Baldree 2, Petit, Mattila, Loutzenhiser, Steiger.
Game 2
Moscow 021 070 1 — 11 12 5
Sandpoint 202 350 x — 13 9 7
Audrey Mattila, Tanis Davis (5) and Brooklen Steiger and Clistie Adam. W — Mattila (1-1).
Spt hits — Barlow 2, Ward, Baldree, Davis, Mattila, Loutzenhiser, Irish, Edwards. 2B — Barlow. HR — Barlow.