Sandpoint wraps up season with loss to Lakeland

MOSCOW — Sandpoint lost 15-2 to Lakeland in an Inland Empire Conference play-in game at Moscow High School that officially ended the Bulldogs’ season Tuesday.

Sandpoint started off the game strong, scoring two runs in the first inning. Three Bulldogs reached base in a row — Ashlyn Darling singled to left field, Elizabeth Dysart singled to right and Peyton Cessna reached on an error by Lakeland shortstop Delilah Zimmerman. Cadence Skibistky and Mayle Ducken were able to drive the two runs home.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs could not carry that momentum with them throughout the rest of the game.

Lakeland was able to respond with seven runs in the bottom of the first and scored at least two runs in every inning thereafter. Despite the lopsided score, the Hawks only registered one more hit than the Bulldogs. Sandpoint pitching gave up 10 free bases, which Lakeland took advantage of.

Lakeland’s Emma Avalos pitched a quality start for the Hawks, throwing five innings giving up just three hits, two runs (zero earned) and one walk. Offensively, it was Alexis Hanna who recorded two out of Lakeland's four hits. She went 2-for-3 with a single, a double and three runs scored.

For the Bulldogs, Darling and Dysart both had singles and runs scored in the final game of their senior season. Ducken, who started the majority of the games for the Bulldogs this year, took the mound for her last career start. She threw one and two-thirds innings giving up three hits, six earned runs and recording one strikeout. Darling pitched the remainder of the game. She went a solid two and one-thirds innings giving up just one hit, one earned run while striking out two batters.

“I can’t say enough about the perseverance of this team. It’s tough to battle every game and not see the wins on the scoreboard. I wish our seniors the best of luck and am excited for the next chapter in their lives. I’m looking forward to working with our returning players in the offseason and seeing their improvement next year. I want to thank the coaching staff and school administration for supporting the players and the program,” head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams said.

SANDPOINT 2, LAKELAND 15

SANDPOINT – 200 00 – 2 3 4

LAKELAND – 733 2X – 15 4 1

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

W – Avalos. L – Ducken.

HITS: SPT – Knowles, Darling, Dysart. LHS – Dewey, Sterling, Holte, Hanna.

2B – Knowles, Hanna.