Bulldogs go two and out at state softball

BLACKFOOT — Sandpoint softball head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams knew going in her team was up against a brutally tough first round opponent, as the Bulldogs struggled in a 20-0 loss to defending champion Middleton in the opening game of the 4A Idaho State Softball Tournament on Friday in Blackfoot.

Bri Barlow had the lone hit for the Bulldogs (10-11), who committed eight errors and used a committee of pitchers to stay fresh for the consolation game.

The Vikings (26-2) got a home run and double from Lainey Lyle in a game that was called after three innings.

“My girls were shell shocked from the onset,” said Hawkins-Williams. “Even Lake City didn’t hit us like that.”

The consolation game against Canyon Ridge was a totally different story, as senior Bri Baldree went the distance in a 4-2 loss that came right down to the end. Baldree struck out 10, allowing nine hits in seven innings and giving her team a chance to extend its season.

“The team bounced back from that first loss to really stay in the tournament,” described Hawkins-Williams. “Baldree pitched a fantastic game. Her high fastball, they just couldn’t hit it.”

Seven different Bulldogs had hits against the Riverhawks (17-14), and Sandpoint pulled to within 3-2 in the fifth, but could not plate another run. Hawkins-Williams praised the defense of third baseman Tanis Davis, who got peppered all day but kept making the plays.

Sophomore Isabella Edwards had two hits and an RBI in the second game, one of a handful of players earning their coach’s praise in defeat.

“What stood out was how my underclassmen stepped up and performed it the second game. That’s huge on this stage,” said Hawkins-Williams. “Natalie Petit drew three walks today. She has come a long ways. She made some huge stretches to get close outs for us at first base today.”

Despite going two-and-out after finishing third last season, the Bulldogs have shown that the program is here to stay, as a host of underclassmen stepped up during the season and at the state tournament to complement a core group that helped build what is now in place.

“There were big shoes to fill at key positions, and I had players really step up in those positions. It makes me really excited for the future of the program,” said Hawkins-Williams. “I’ve been fortunate for the past three years to have such a strong core group, now those girls are graduating and it’s exciting to see those girls step up and fill those shoes.”

Game 1

Middleton 587 — 20 10 0

Sandpoint 000 — 0 1 8

Lyle and Conley; Audrey Matilla, Bri Baldree (2), Tanis Davis (3) and Ember Dewey. W — Lyle. L — Matilla (2-2).

HITS: Mid — Massley, Mikel 2, Lyle 2, Conley 2, Pellagio 2, Jenkins 2, Cowels 1. Spt — Barlow. 2B — Massley, Lyle, Conley, Jenkins. HR — Lyle.

Game 2

Canyon Ridge 102 001 0 — 4 9 1

Sandpoint 000 110 0 — 2 8 3

Huddleston and Gust; Bri Baldree and Ember Dewey. W-Huddleston. L-Baldree (5-8).

HITS: CR — Massie, Gust 2, Cist, Bevelry, Embertson, Sorenson 2, Amerson. Spt — Barlow, Ward, Baldree, Matilla, Loutzenhiser, Edwards 2, Steiger. 2B — Bevelry.