SHS drops 2 games at WTP Tournament

CALDWELL — The Sandpoint High School softball team traded the cloudy skies and 50 degree weather of Sandpoint for 76 degrees and clear skies at the WTP Softball Tournament at Vallivue High School in Caldwell.

The Bulldogs fell in both of its games at the mixer-style tournament to Emmett and Vallivue High School.

Sandpoint started the tournament against Emmett and fell to the Huskies 13-2.

“It was great to get back on the field,” Sandpoint softball coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams said. “My players were great and enthusiastic about getting some games in.”

Admittedly, Sandpoint experienced some first inning jitters to start the game. It gave up six runs in the top of the first inning.

After the first, Cresanna Authier was able to instill some confidence and calmness into the Bulldogs bench after hitting a homerun into center field during her first at bat of the season.

“There was no doubt about it when it came off the bat,” Hawkins-Williams said. “Her exit velocity was amazing; it was out in a couple of seconds.”

Authier worked on her contact and power during the offseason and was able to see immediate results during her first at-bat of the season.

“She did a lot of work in the offseason with contact in her swing,” Hawkins-Williams said. “She bought into that, and when we saw her new swing there was no doubt about it.”

Mayle Ducken made her varsity debut on the mound against Emmett and struck out four.

“She was able to hit corners,” Hawkins-Williams said. “To see her go out and throw strong and hit spots was the highlight of the game.”

Hawkins-Williams also highlighted outfield play for the Bulldogs.

Sandpoint hasn’t been able to practice outside much due to field conditions preventing it from doing much outfield work.

But the Bulldogs were prepared, and played well, according to Hawkins-Williams.

“Jaydin Inman had a diving catch in the outfield and saved a lot of runs for us,” Hawkins-Williams said. “We haven’t had a lot of outfield practice but after today they’ll only improve.”

The Sandpoint infield had some new faces along with some old faces.

Authier, when not on the mound, is running third base and Kaylee Brackett is holding down the first base position.

At second and short, the Bulldogs have sophomores Peyton Cessna and Kaylee McCown.

“They learned a lot today,” Hawkins-Williams said. “They recorded a lot of outs for us and learned what their responsibilities are. To commit as few errors as we did, we’re starting at a really good place.”

The Bulldogs notched five hits against the Huskies. Authier hit the home run. Ashyln Darling had a double and Inman, Ducken, and Sara Bryson had singles.

In Sandpoint’s second game of the day, it fell to Vallivue 12-0.

The Bulldogs moved around some players in this game; the heat made them a little bit fatigued according to Hawkins-Williams.

“We looked a little fatigued from the heat,” she said. “The mental toughness had to be there; the girls are working out their mental toughness while dealing with fatigue”

Authier got the start on the mound and had a bit of a rough start but maintained a positive attitude throughout the contest.

“She struggled with the zone throughout the game,” Hawkins-Williams said. “She showed a lot of grit and emotional control and I’m hoping she’ll carry that into tomorrow.”

Sandpoint begins its season at 0-2 and will be back at Vallivue High School tomorrow with games against Kuna at 9 a.m. MST and against Twin Falls at 11 a.m. MST.

GAME 1

Emmett 610 42 — 13 8 0

Sandpoint 020 00 — 2 5 2

Mayle Ducken, Cresanna Authier (5) and Ashlyn Darling, Elizabeth Dysart (5). Fuller, Bromgard (5) and Dupree.

HITS: SPT — Inman, Darling, Ducken, Bryson, Authier (HR). EMM — Goodwin, K. Yanzuck, Steppe 2, Dupree, Heath, Cauraugh, Rountree 2. 2B — Darling, Yanzuck, Steppe, Rountree.HR — Authier.

GAME 2

Sandpoint 000 00 — 0 1 1

Vallivue 822 0x — 12 10 1

Cresanna Autheir and Jaidyn Inman. Hancock and Thomas.

HITS: SPT — Ducken. VALL — Garman 2 (2B), Gonzalez 2, Garcia Hancock, Henderson, Croft, Thomas, Cavala 2. 2B — Cavala, Hancock, Garman.

GAME 2

Sandpoint 000 00 — 0 1 1

Vallivue 822 0x — 12 10 1

Cresanna Autheir and Jaidyn Inman. Hancock and Thomas.

HITS: SPT — Ducken. VALL — Garman 2 (2B), Gonzalez 2, Garcia Hancock, Henderson, Croft, Thomas, Cavala 2. 2B — Cavala, Hancock, Garman.