Balanced Bulldog baseball team sets eye on state championship

Talent laden Bulldogs harbor high hopes for 2018 season

By ERIC PLUMMER

Sports editor

SANDPOINT — A bevy of power bats and power arms has the Sandpoint baseball team brimming with confidence heading into the 2018 season, with a potential state title in the sights of both players and second year head coach Chase Tigert.

The confidence stems from returning a host of players off of last year’s 9-9 season, which saw the Bulldogs go 4-4 in league play and just miss out on the state playoffs in a 7-4 loss to Lakeland.

With 4A Inland Empire League Most Valuable Player Trey Flint, and Newcomer of the Year Billy Brackett both returning, the talent rich Bulldogs have set high goals.

“We’re going to state, and I think we’re going to win state this year,” said Tigert. “This is a team that can beat anybody, I’d put them up against any team from Idaho.”

Flint, a 6-foot-4, 240 pound masher at first base, has signed to play next year at McPherson College in Kansas. The returning league MVP rarely misses a ball over the plate, with the ability to hit with power to all fields, a rare commodity for a power hitter.

Flint’s plus bat in the middle of the order will play a big part of any playoff run. He blasted two home runs in a season opening sweep of West Valley, and like Tigert, feels this team has the makings of something special.

“Our goal this year is to win state, it’s been that way from the start,” acknowledged Flint. “This is one of the better offensive teams in years, and the pitching it great. Everything we haven’t had in the past, we have this year.”

Tigert is just hoping Flint builds on what he had going last year, when he punished opposing pitchers.

“Continue to do what he does. Stay relaxed at the plate,” said Tigert. “He’s a clutch guy with runners on second base, he’s going to drive them in. When you need a hit, you know Trey will deliver.”

Brackett will hit in the No. 3 hole and anchor the infield at short stop. Tigert praised his patience and plate discipline, and ability to make solid contact.

Setting the table atop the order will be senior returning all-league infielder Tyler Schaeffer, who had a handful of multi-hit games last year and can steal bases, and senior Preston Pettit, who missed most of last year with a broken collarbone.

Junior catcher Connor Dodd and junior outfielder Alex Stockton are also dangerous bats, with Stockton ripping a home run, triple and double against West Valley in the opener. Sophomore Tyler Lehman, and seniors Thomas Riley and Jacob Cometto, a No. 9 hitter who smacked a home run in the opener, round out an order with little weakness.

“We have such a strong lineup, teams will have to be cautious. One through nine, we’re going to get it done,” said Tigert, who described what he hopes to see from his team. “Kids having fun, doing what they love and winning at the same time. We’re trying to set new standards.”

Pettit and Lehman give the Bulldogs a dynamic pair of arms atop the pitching staff, each able to go six strong against anyone, including some of the 5A powers they’ll face in nonleague play.

Lehman and senior Garrett Connolly give the Bulldogs a pair of left-handers with strong command, a luxury to have against certain lineups. Stockton has been clocked at 84 on the radar gun, and Pettit hit the low 80s, giving the staff some power arms. Seniors Tyrone Larson and Riley, as well as junior Tristan Authier, can also log starts and eat up innings on a deep rotation.

“Preston earned the role of No. 1 starter. Competitive, bulldog, goes after everybody,” described Tigert. “He’s tilting really well, his breaking ball has improved, with more velocity.”

Bench players like Ryan Roos, Kade MacDonald and Hunter Donahoe will all have a role if the Bulldogs look to fulfill their high goals. Tigert feels preparation and more confidence will keep his team from pressing, which they did at times last season.

“Our strength is our bond. We really gelled together. We’re prepared, and when you’re prepared, there’s no pressure, playing loose,” he said. “Trey and Preston are leading the team, playing an instrumental role in the camaraderie. This is one of the closest teams I’ve ever coached.”

Pettit, who signed to play at Southern Virginia University, will be looking to end his high school career on a high note after breaking his collarbone in an outfield collision in the first game last year. He’ll play a big role from the mound, plate and in the field, and also feels the team can make a run at a state title.

“Dedication, showing up every day mentally and physically and working hard,” said Pettit of what it will take. “We want to be here, putting in extra time. We’re all dedicated.”