SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: First-year head coach Leah Platt looking to revitalize Sandpoint softball

Last season: 0-25 record

Coach: Leah Platt, first season

Athletes to watch: OF, Cadence Skibitsky, so.; INF/RHP, Ainsley Hull, jr.; INF, Kaylee McCown, sr.; INF, Peyton Cessna, sr. C, Bailey Lancaster, so.; RHP, Haley Smotherman, so.; UTIL, Baylie Hindle, jr.; UTIL, Sara Bryson, sr.

Leah Platt, a 1997 Sandpoint graduate and former collegiate softball player, has taken on the challenge of getting the Bulldogs back on track. This year, she is hopeful that will be the case, and is taking the necessary steps early on in order to make it a reality.

“We have three solid seniors this year and are looking to have a better season,” Platt said. “Our first game didn’t really quite show that, but we’ll get there; we have things to work on. Being outside this early is going to help us and we’re looking forward to our remaining schedule.”

Despite the season-opening loss to Timberlake, Platt said she saw positives. Platt noted that the play of sophomores Haley Smotherman and Bailey Lancaster was impressive.

“I think we have some newcomers that are going to surprise people,” Platt said. “I think Abi Miller and Baylie Hindle are going to be two of those players. Haley Smotherman is going to be a new one to watch as well. Ainsley Hull is someone we will go to a lot for production on the mound.”

Seniors Peyton Cessna, Kaylee McCown, and Sara Bryson are all others to watch out for.

“They’re all stepping up and bringing everyone else along with them,” Platt said. “They are more so players who lead by example. They may not be the most vocal, but definitely lead with their work ethics.”

Cessna, along with sophomore standout Cadence Skibitsky, are two returners who were all-conference selections last year. Skibitsky, who primarily plays centerfield, has been praised for her amazing defense. On top of that, the lefty had one of the highest on base percentages for the Bulldogs last year. Cessna was clutch all throughout last year as well, consistently posting multi-hit efforts. In the first conference game last season against Lakeland, Cessna went 3-for-4 with a double, a single, two RBIs and two runs scored.

“Our hitting is definitely going to come around – these girls have been hitting the heck out of the ball at practices and this offseason,” Platt said. “I’m not too worried about our hitting, it’s going to come after we see some more live pitching."

Platt has been around the program for a long time, having been an assistant coach for seven years, and believes the foundation is solid... it just needs some tweaks so that the Bulldogs can get back to winning ways.

“We have to go into the season positive; we have to be the ones that want to turn this program around,” Platt said. “We’re not going to hesitate to change it up – it’s never going to be a personal thing – I’m going to love them today and tomorrow, but we have to be willing to change things quickly. I don’t think how the season opened shows the amount of potential that is here at all.”

Sandpoint Softball Schedule

3/14 – @ Timberlake 5 p.m.

3/15-16 @ Tri-Cities Tournament

3/18 – vs. Bonners Ferry 6 p.m.

3/21 – vs. Priest River 2 p.m.*

3/27 – vs. West Valley 2 p.m.*

4/9 – @ Lake City 3 p.m.*

4/12 – @ Post Falls 3 p.m.*

4/18 – vs. Lakeland 2 p.m.*

4/20 – @ Lewiston 2 p.m.*

4/22 – @ Moscow 2 p.m.*

4/24 – @ Coeur d’Alene 3 p.m.*

4/29 – vs. Moscow 2 p.m.*

5/3 – @ Lakeland 3 p.m.*

* Indicates doubleheader *

    Sandpoint's Cadence Skibitsky hits a line drive for a single in a game against Post Falls last season at War Memorial Field.
  

    Sandpoint's Kaylee McCown rips a single to center-right field in a game against Lakeland last season.