Sandpoint avoids no-hitter against Lake City
(Photo by KYLE CAJERO) Brooklen Steiger runs down the first base line to try to beat the tag during the fourth inning of Friday’s game.
(Photo by KYLE CAJERO) Ashley Authier throws to second after making a catch during Sandpoint’s game at Lake City on May 3.
(Photo by KYLE CAJERO) Sandpoint senior Tanis Davis throws from third base during the fourth inning of Sandpoint’s 13-0 loss to Lake City on May 3.
For Sandpoint softball, there’s no such thing is taking it easy the week before the district tournament.
On the heels of traveling to Moscow this time last week, the Bulldogs trekked to Spokane to play West Valley, then made the return for an emotional senior night-loss against Post Falls.
Their reward for making it through the week was the unenviable task of playing a 22-0 Lake City squad — complete with seven seniors and several future collegiate athletes — on the Timberwolves’ senior night. Although the Bulldogs fell in a relatively merciful 13-0 loss on Friday, the gauntlet was exactly the challenge head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams had in mind for her team to prepare them for districts next Tuesday.
“For me, the challenges we needed to overcome for [districts] occurred this week,” Hawkins-Williams said. “We need to rest, get mentally prepared and play hard and ready. So this week was really the week to prepare and turn everything around to be ready to play next week. And the girls did it.”
Sandpoint will, without a doubt, not face juggernauts like Lake City next week. The Timberwolves were quick on the bases, locked down the infield whenever the Bulldogs made contact and boasted senior Ashley Kaufman, who carried a no-hitter into the fourth inning.
Riley Cessna’s single in the fourth broke up Kaufman’s no-hitter, which gave some life to the Bulldogs’ dugout. Two pitches later, the sophomore advanced to second on a passed ball, yet the offense couldn’t bring her home.
Aside from the fourth inning, Hawkins-Williams saw bright spots with outfielders Ashley Authier and Kinzie Ward — both of whom helped limit the damage on the Timberwolves’ big hits.
“Ashley works really hard and she is coachable, she listens and she loves the outfield,” Hawkins-Williams said. “And when you put a player like that in the outfield who loves it, they’re going to deliver. And even though Kinzie is a first-time centerfielder this year, I try to put my best athletes out there. She’s embraced the challenge; she is very composed and consistent.”
Kaufman’s final line was 10 Ks, one hit, no walks in five innings — plus going 2-2 with a double at the plate.
Sandpoint (3-14, 3-5 IEL) starts district tournament play at Lakeland High School against Moscow next Tuesday, May 7. The winner of the first game, which starts at 3 p.m. will play hosting Lakeland at 5 p.m.
Sandpoint 000 00 — 0 1 4
Lake City 515 2X — 3 17 0
W — Kaufman, 10. L — Irish (1-7)
HITS: Sandpoint —Cessna. Lake City — Gray 2, Lemburg 3, Zufelt, Kaufman, Taylor 3, Chapman. 2B — Taylor 2, Chapman, Zufelt, Kaufman. HR — Beamer (2), Jankay (solo).