Softball takes a step forward, but falls to Timberlake

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint softball team fell to Timberlake 14-2 in nonleague action on Thursday at War Memorial Field.

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed a lot of improvement and head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams was optimistic about the progression she saw.

"We took a bigger step forward today than we did between our first two games," she said, "so if we continue taking exponential steps forward, I feel like we'll get where I'd like the team to be sooner rather than later."

The game was called after the fifth inning due to the 10-run rule, but the bats came alive for the Bulldogs.

In the bottom of the first inning, SHS scored its first run of the season when senior Kinzie Ward tripled to score junior Jacey Cash. Ward hit the ball off the left field wall and the shot was inches away from being a two-run homer.

Unfortunately, the top of the first inning wasn't too kind to the Bulldogs. The Tigers, one of the top teams in the state in 3A, scored eight runs and four came courtesy of a grand slam by Timberlake's Emma Howard.

Hawkins-Williams said the Bulldogs are trying to figure out the right pregame routine to get off to stronger starts and come out with more energy.

"We still are working on the mental toughness and positivity piece," she said, "and learning who are our vocal leaders and emotional leaders to keep the team up and engaged, so it's really like getting out the first inning nerves, that's really been the struggle for us because a lot of these girls haven't played for over a year."

Junior Via Barlow made her first career varsity start on the bump and Elizabeth-Williams said she could tell some nerves got to her in the first inning. Barlow was able to get two quick outs to open the game, but a couple of walks, a wild pitch and a hit batter allowed Timberlake to grab a couple of runs. She was replaced by junior Cresanna Authier before the end of the inning.

"She's a very talented pitcher and we were really excited to see her today," Hawkins-Williams said about Barlow, "but now she's been out there and she'll be more ready for next time."

Authier lasted 3 2/3 innings before getting pulled with one out in the top of the fifth. She struck out two batters and shut out the Tigers in the second and fourth innings.

"Seeing her find success today was a win for her and the team," Hawkins-Williams said about Authier. "It was nice to see more of the pitching staff coming together."

Timberlake scored four runs in the third and two in the fifth. Sandpoint scored its second run of the day in the bottom of the fifth when senior Riley Cessna hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring in Cash.

The Bulldogs tallied five hits against the Tigers and Hawkins-Williams said it was really fun to watch the girls make some solid contact with the ball and build some confidence.

But the story of the day for the Bulldogs was their defense. The team worked together as a unit and outfielders Jacey Cash and Kalila Tuinstra made a couple tough catches to save some runs.

Hawkins-Williams said the outfielders shined.

"They had an outstanding day and that's also great for our pitching staff to know that they can be confident in the players behind them to make plays," she said.

Tapanga Rojas got the win for Timberlake and struck out eight batters across five innings of work.

Sandpoint (0-3) gets over a week off before they host a doubleheader against rival Moscow on Saturday, March 27.

Timberlake 804 02 — 14 7 1

Sandpoint 100 01 — 2 5 1

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

Via Barlow, Cresanna Authier (1), Madi Garman (5) and Jaidyn Inman; Acacia Pecor and Tapanga Rojas. W — Pecor. L — Barlow.

HITS: SHS — Inman, Gammon, Garman; 2B — Cash, 3B — Ward. THS — Lindley 2, Rojas, Pecor, Peterson; 2B — Howard; HR — Howard.