Sandpoint wraps up season with consolation loss to Bonneville
Sophomore Jack Zimmerman hauls in a fly ball during a game against Lake City on March 13 at War Memorial Field.
(Photo courtesy of JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY)
TWIN FALLS — Miscues plagued the Bulldogs again during Friday's consolation game.
Sandpoint baseball committed 10 errors in a 13-2 defeat to Bonneville, the 2019 state champions. The loss ended the Bulldogs run at the 4A state tournament.
Sandpoint finishes the season with an 18-10 record. This is the second time in the last four years that SHS has gone 0-2 at state.
The Bulldogs' state trip didn't go as planned, but head coach Chase Tigert said his squad still had great moments.
"We still have a lot of things to be proud of," he said. "I was just telling the guys to focus on the positives."
During Thursday's opening game against Bishop Kelly, Sandpoint had six errors that proved to be costly in an 8-5 loss in extra innings.
Tigert isn't exactly sure what led to the Bulldogs' 16 errors during the state tournament, but he believes nerves might have had something to do with it.
"Ten errors is not going to win you ballgames," he said.
The Bees jumped on the Bulldogs early with a two-run double in the top of the first inning. Bonneville added one run in the second and four in the top of the fourth to take a commanding 7-0 lead.
Sandpoint got its first run of the game in the bottom of the fourth when Max Thielbahr scored on a passed ball.
The Bees put three runs on the board in the fifth and sixth innings to close out the win and send Sandpoint home.
Bonneville outhit Sandpoint 13-5. Tigert said it was hard to contain the Bees' offense.
"I would say that was the best hitting team we've faced all year," he said. "That team raked."
Ethan Butler started on the mound. He lasted one inning before Zeke Roop relieved him. Roop struck out three and gave up five hits and two earned runs over three innings.
Bonneville's starting pitcher, Jacob Perez was dealing. He finished with nine strikeouts.
"Their pitcher was really good," Tigert said. "He mixed very well and he threw three pitches for a strike, and he could throw them in any count. We just struggled making the adjustment at the plate."
In Friday's game, senior Mike Riley came off the bench and went 2 for 2 at the plate.
"I'm so proud of that kid," Tigert said.
Throughout the season, the Bulldogs showed an unwavering ability to fight through adversity. No matter the score, no matter the inning, Sandpoint never felt like they were out of a game. They always believed they had a chance.
"The thing that really stood out to me about this team is they never gave up, and that's something I have not seen before in my time coaching," Tigert said. "Nothing phases them."
The Bulldogs will lose seven seniors, but will have plenty of state returners next spring. Tigert is excited to see how much the team can improve over the offseason, and he hopes his players use this state trip as motivation.
"The pursuit back to state really begins next week," he said.
Bonneville 210 433 — 13 13 0
Sandpoint 000 110 — 2 5 10
Game called after 6 innings due to 10-run rule.
Jacob Perez, Tyler Kress (5) and Joe Hopla; Ethan Butler, Zeke Roop (2), Jack Zimmerman (5), Auggie Lehman (6) and Trevor Brackett.
HITS: B — Luce 3, Bird 3, Robison 2, Woods, Peves, Howell, Cortez, Walton. SHS — Thielbahr 2, Riley 2, Roop. 2B — Bird 2, Peves, Howell, Walton. 3B — Bird.