Scary moment for SHS softball overshadows doubleheader defeat at Lewiston

LEWISTON — A softball doubleheader was played between Lewiston and Sandpoint on Saturday. But the action took a back seat following a scary moment in the first game.

In the bottom of the fourth inning with the Bulldogs trailing 8-1, senior pitcher Madi Garman took a line drive to the head.

"It's the worst thing I've ever seen in a softball game," head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams said.

Immediately everyone on the field and in the stands was concerned about Garman.

"It was a traumatic experience not only for us, but everyone watching the game," she said.

Fortunately, Hawkins-Williams said Garman is doing well as of Saturday night and much better than expected given the situation. The line drive struck Garman so hard that the ball landed in the glove of Sandpoint's right fielder, Hawkins-Williams said.

Somehow, both teams had to try and keep playing a doubleheader after the incident and it wasn't easy. Tears filled the Sandpoint dugout the rest of the afternoon, Hawkins-Williams said.

"It became an emotional day for all of us after that," she said.

On the field, the Bengals were able to add three runs in the fifth inning to complete a 10-run rule victory over the Bulldogs in the first game.

Lewiston scored 13 runs in the first inning of the second game and Sandpoint could never recover as they suffered a 23-3 loss.

Coming into Saturday's doubleheader, Sandpoint knew they faced an uphill battle against the third ranked team in 5A. Despite the sweep, there were a lot of bright spots for the Bulldogs.

Hawkins-Williams was proud of her team's ability to put the ball in play and fight against such a tough opponent, especially after what happened to one of their teammates.

"I'm proud of their mental toughness through all of this because they kept on playing and they kept on working really hard to stay in the game," she said. "We're just hoping for the best for Madi."

Riley Cessna, Lily Gammon, Kinzie Ward, Kaylee Brackett, Kalila Tuinstra, Via Barlow and Jacey Cash all recorded hits across the doubleheader.

In the second game, Barlow pitched four innings and Hawkins-Williams thought she had a strong outing.

"It was good to get her in and get her some time today," she said.

Once again, Hawkins-Williams said the Bulldogs' defense was on point. Authier turned three double plays at third base and Cash was a star in center field, Hawkins-Williams said.

"Jacey Cash played the best I've ever seen a center fielder play for us in a long time," she said. "She got a lot of outs for us today and she covered a lot of ground."

Sandpoint (6-12, 2-8 IEL) heads to Coeur d'Alene at 3 p.m. Tuesday.

FIRST GAME

Sandpoint 000 10 — 1 3 2

Lewiston 240 23 — 11 9 0

Game called after 5 innings due to 10-run rule.

Madi Garman, Via Barlow (4) and Lily Gammon; Mader and T. Barney. W — Mader. L — Garman.

HITS: SHS — Cessna 2, Gammon. LHS — Taylor 3, Purrington 2, Mader 2, Douglass, T. Barney. 2B — Taylor, Purrington, Mader. 3B — Gammon, Taylor, Douglass. HR — T. Barney.

SECOND GAME

Sandpoint 000 03 — 3 5 6

Lewiston (13)45 1X — 23 21 1

Game called in 5th inning due to 10-run rule.

Cresanna Authier, Via Barlow (1) and Jaidyn Inman, Lily Gammon (4); Banks and T. Barney. W — Banks. L — Authier.

HITS: SHS — Ward, Brackett, Tuinstra, Barlow, Cash. LHS — Taylor, L. Barney 3, T. Barney 4, Banks 3, Purrington 5, Douglass 2, Reel, Weeks, Mader. 2B — Cash, Purrington, T. Barney 2. 3B — L. Barney, Mader.