PREP SOFTBALL: Hull, Smotherman combine for eight strikeouts in win over Bonners Ferry
Sandpoint's Ainsley Hull fires a pitch during Monday night's 12-2 win over Bonners Ferry.
Photo by MAX OSWALD
SANDPOINT — Sandpoint was able to notch their first win since 2022 after defeating Bonners Ferry 12-2 at War Memorial Field on Monday.
The Bulldogs struck first, scoring three runs in the first inning and then four in the second to take a 7-0 lead over the Badgers. Leading 9-2 heading into the bottom of the fifth, senior Peyton Cessna hit a two-run triple to deep center field, scoring Abi Miller, who singled in the at-bat prior, and Baylie Hindle, who drew one of Sandpoint’s nine walks earlier in the inning.
“That’s why she is there in that 3-4-5 spot,” head coach Leah Platt said. “She’s a hitter and definitely sees the ball well.”
Sophomore Cadence Skibitsky sealed the deal, driving in Cessna after hitting a double to deep center during the very next at-bat. It was the first time Sandpoint was able to rejoice with a victory since May 3, 2022, when the Bulldogs beat Moscow, 8-6. The 32-game losing streak has officially been snapped.
“It feels really good,” Platt said. “I think the girls came out strong — we moved them around a lot in order to see what’s working and get them reps in different positions. I’m glad we came out playing our game today.”
On the mound, Ainsley Hull pitched a quality start for the Bulldogs, going 3 1/3 innings and giving up three hits, two earned runs, and striking out five. Haley Smotherman pitched 1 2/3 innings in relief, striking out three and giving up just one hit.
“I thought Ainsley pitched really well,” Platt said. “We had a long weekend, and I thought she was a little fatigued, so we brought Haley in. Haley did a phenomenal job coming in and getting those last five batters.”
Sandpoint (1-3) will host Priest River for a doubleheader Thursday.
Bonners Ferry 001 10X X – 2 4 3
Sandpoint 341 13X X – 12 4 0
Game called after five innings due to 10-run rule.
W – Hull. L – T. Sumpter.
HITS: SPT – Miller 1, Cessna 1, Skibitsky 1, Smotherman 1. BF – Koehn 2, Rickter 1, T. Sumpter 1.
2B – T. Sumpter, Skibitsky. 3B – Cessna.
RBI: SPT – Cessna 3, Skibitsky 1, Smotherman 1. BF – Rickter 1.
SB: SPT – Hindle 1, Newsom 1. BF – Koehn 1, Frederickson 1.