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Bulldogs swept in Boise

by MAX OSWALD/Sports Writer
| March 26, 2023 1:00 AM

CALDWELL — Sandpoint softball lost two games against Columbia and Boise at the WTP Tournament at Vallivue High School on Saturday.

In Game 1 versus Columbia, the Bulldogs got out to an early lead in the top of the first inning thanks to an RBI single from Hayden Koberstein. Later in the inning, Cadence Skibitsky stole home on a passed ball to make it a 2-0 game.

In the second inning, the Bulldogs went up 3-0 via a sacrifice fly from Ainsley Hull, but that lead wouldn’t last long.

The Wildcats put up three runs in the bottom half of the inning; Ritter hit an RBI single to center that scored two runs. She came around to score later in the inning as well.

Hallie Campbell sealed the deal in the bottom of fourth with a solo home run that put the Wildcats up 6-3. On the mound, Mayle Ducken did everything she could to keep the Bulldogs in the game with eight strikeouts, but they couldn’t muster up any more runs in the contest.

“… I think it was a great learning experience for everyone and that we will be able to pick it up for the next games we have coming. I am very happy with my performance this weekend, I feel like it was the best games I’ve played,” Ducken said.

In Game 2, the Bulldogs had a hard time finding a rhythm against Boise. After the first two innings, they were down 8-0 to the Braves.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Braves tacked on five more runs to make it a 13-0 game, which would end up being the final score. Nine different Braves recorded hits throughout the game; C. Hueth, Nelson and Binford each had multiple RBIs.

Sandpoint’s lone hit came from Peyton Cessna. Presley Mitchell-Burlseon was dealing for the Braves, throwing five complete innings and recording six strikeouts.

“… This team is searching for an identity and we need student-leaders and upperclassmen to step up and guide the team through this process,” Coach Hawkins-Williams said. “… Despite our struggles, we had some players make changes to their mental approach to the games on Saturday, and it made a tremendous difference in their performance. We are hopeful that we can make it through where we are now and start to perform.”

The Bulldogs (0-4) will be back in action versus West Valley in Spokane on March 30.

GAME 1

COLUMBIA 6, SANDPOINT 3

Sandpoint 210 000 3 2 3

Columbia 032 210 6 5 4

Alyvia Pearson and Mati Clemens; Mayle Ducken and Ellie Dysart. W – Pearson. L – Ducken.

HITS: Columbia — Campbell 2, Ramirez, Cervantes, Ritter Spt. — Skibitsky, Koberstein

HR: Campbell

GAME TWO

BOISE 13, SANDPOINT 0

Sandpoint 000 00 0 1 2

Boise 350 5X 13 10 1

Presley Mitchell-Burleson and Lila McCarthy; Ainsley Hull and Ellie Dysart. W – Mitchell-Burleson. L – Hull.

HITS: Boise — C. Hueth 2, Elliot 2, Nelson 2, Binford, Hopstad, Brechbuhler. Spt. — Cessna

2B — Nelson 2, Hopstad 3B — Elliot