Bulldogs rally for doubleheader split against Hawks

SANDPOINT — Power hitting by Lakeland propelled them to a win in the opener, and a scrappy rally by Sandpoint helped them earn a big doubleheader split in 4A Inland Empire League softball action Friday at Sandpoint Middle School.

Riley Rivera hit a three-run shot, her third against Sandpoint this year, and Allison Russum smacked a two-run blast to lead Lakeland (6-13, 4-2 4A IEL) to a 10-6 win in the opener, breaking the game open with a seven run third inning. Haley Shields scored twice and drove in two as the Hawks led 10-0 at one point.

Audrey Mattila continued her hot hitting with three hits in the opener for the Bulldogs (7-8, 6-2 4A IEL), while Tanis Davis scored twice in the loss.

The Hawks jumped out to early leads of 6-0 and 10-5 in the nightcap, before the Bulldogs rallied to claim an important 11-10 win. Bri Barlow ran her hitting streak to 17 games and scored four runs, none bigger than her race from first on an outfield error to score the winning run in the bottom of the seventh.

Baldree also scored four runs, and Natalie Petit had two RBIs to pace the offense. Baldree came in and struck out four in three big scoreless frames in relief, including the top of the seventh, when the Hawks left the bases loaded in a 10-10 game.

“It was very exciting to come back. Having two doubleheaders in a row in hot weather is a tall feat,” said Bulldogs head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams. “For them to have the drive, the desire, the fight to come back and win, makes me hopeful about how we can perform at a state tourney.”

Rivera had three RBIs in the nightcap in defeat, setting up some interesting tie-break scenarios should Lakeland sweep Moscow and finish 6-2 in league like Sandpoint.

The first tie-breaker is record vs. Moscow, with the second being point differential vs. each other. By virtue of a four run win in game one by the Hawks vs. a one run win in game two by the Bulldogs, coming after the two teams each had a 10-run win against each other, means Lakeland would earn the No. 1 seed provided they sweep Moscow.

Tanis Davis was credited with the win in game two on Thursday against Moscow, running her record to 3-3 on the season.

Sandpoint is at Lake City on Thursday.

Game 1

Lakeland 007 003 0 — 10 6 4

Sandpoint 001 002 3 — 6 9 3

Taylor Woolley and Abbey Leon; Bri Baldree and Ember Dewey. W — Woolley. L — Baldree (3-5).

HITS: LL — Woolley 2, Rivera 2, Russ, Edelblute. Spt — Barlow, Ward, Mattila 3, Loutzenhiser, Dewey 2, Steiger. 2B — Mattila, Ward. HR — Rivera, Russum.

Game 2

Lakeland 622 000 0 — 10 9 2

Sandpoint 230 302 1 — 11 9 2

Hailey Gosch, Woolley (3) and Leon; Audrey Mattila, Baldree (5) and Clistie Adam. W — Baldree 4-5). L — Woolley.

HITS: LL — Woolley, Leon, Rivera 2, O’Hara 2, Russum, Edelblute, Gosch. Spt — Barlow 2, Ward, Baldree 2, Petit 2, Mattila, Edwards. 2B — O’Hara. 3B — Baldree.