SPRING SPORTS PREVIEW: Sandpoint Softball to showcase experience, speed, pitching power

Last season: 3-22 (0-16 6A/5A combined IEL)

Coaches: Leah Platt (97'), head coach, first year; Sandra Sherrill, assistant coach.

Key returners: Cadence Skibitsky (1B/OF), jr.; Bailey Lancaster (C/1B), sr.; Ainsley Hull (OF/RHP), sr.; Abi Miller (UTIL), sr.; Baylie Hindle (UTIL), sr. Teagan Newsom (UTIL), so. 

Key newcomers: Arah Stevens (3B/C), jr.; Marlee Stevens (LHP/1B/OF), fr.; Avery Inge (UTIL), fr.; Bailey Wilson (LHP), fr.

Key losses: Peyton Cessna (UTIL); Kaylee McCown (UTIL).

Outlook: With investments that coaches like Sandpoint High second-year head coach Leah Platt are making in the community, Lady Bulldog softball continues to show their just about ready for a breakthrough season. Sandpoint returns the majority of their starting lineup, including two of their three all-league selections from a year ago, has a full arsenal of pitchers, and adds-on a handful of newcomers with lots of experience. All things considered, it'd be hard to deny this is one of the strongest teams in recent history.

"We're going to be faster than we've ever been in a long time," coach Platt said. "This year we have a lot of ladies with good experience under their belts, whether that's little league, travel ball, camps, etc. We are definitely more prepared coming into this season when compared to year's past. We have depth in our pitching rotation, which is something we've struggled with in recent years."

Junior Cadence Skibitsky, a lefty who is set to be a three-year starter in the outfield, was a two-time 4A (now 5A) All-Inland Empire League honoree in 2023 and 2024 and a 4A (now 5A) All-State Second Team honoree in 2024. The Macalester College commit makes a return after a stellar sophomore campaign where she batted .446 and held a .557 on-base percentage to go along with seven doubles, two homeruns, 11 stolen bases and 13 RBI.

"She has really smart baserunning and just a lot of game knowledge in general; she's a leader out there in the outfield," coach Platt said. "She brings a good bat and is just a solid all-around player."

Sophomore Teagan Newsom was a 4A All-Inland Empire League selection in 2024 and will make a return. A right-handed pitcher and third baseman, she batted .357 to go along with 20 hits, seven doubles, a home run and 10 RBI a year ago. She'll see some more time on the mound and potentially some time at shortstop this season.

"She's coming off a great wrestling season — all the girls wrestlers we have in the lineup are already in great shape," coach Platt said. "Teagan will definitely be a factor this season."

Senior Bailey Lancaster, one of Sandpoint's best power bats, and senior Baylie Hindle, will be relied on to get on base early and often. The same goes for senior captains Emma Kohal and Abi Miller.

"All those girls are leaders and have a lot of game time under their belts and it's nice to have that," coach Platt said.

As far as newcomers go, sisters Arah and Marlee Stevens, whose parents are originally from Sandpoint, recently made the move from Kingsland, Ga. and will make an immediate impact. Arah is a junior third baseman/catcher while Marlee, a freshman, will see some time on the mound as a left-handed pitcher.

Freshman Bailey Wilson will also be added into the pitching rotation along with senior Ainsley Hull and junior Hali Smotherman. Freshmen Avery Inge, primarily a catcher, Taylor Bannick, an infielder, and Raelyn Olsen, a left-handed slap hitter, round out the batch of newcomer standouts.

"Avery is a spitfire behind the plate and has a great pop time," coach Platt said. "Bailey (Wilson) is a pitcher that will be a factor and when she's not pitching, will see some time at first base. She's also a lefty, so having multiple this season, we'll see how that factors into things. In years past, we've usually only had one lefty at a time."

Sandpoint will operate with just a varsity team for the time being. That decision was made when there were just 19 players out for the team, but by the time the first game rolled around there were 23, so opportunities for other games to get players experience will potentially be sought after.

"Having some new blood, hungry freshmen come in this year, it just sparks some new life into things," coach Platt said. "We have a lot of dads, moms, volunteers, putting in time and it's great to see how involved everyone is with supporting the program. This team's competitive, even with each other. We have a lot of perfectionists who are hard on themselves. It's going to be a really good season to watch and I'm excited to see what these girls can do."

Sandpoint Softball Schedule

3/15 — vs. Post Falls, 12 p.m. 

3/18 — vs. Lewiston, 3 p.m. 

3/21-22 — WTP Tournament (Boise) 

3/25 — vs. Lakeland, 3 p.m. 

3/27 — vs. Coeur d’Alene, 3 p.m. 

4/8 — vs. Lake City, 3 p.m. 

4/10 — @ Lakeland, 3 p.m. 

4/15 — @ Bonners Ferry, 1 p.m. 

4/19 — @ Moscow, 12 p.m. 

4/22 — vs. Moscow, 3 p.m. 

4/26 — @ Lewiston, 12 p.m. 

5/6-8 — 5A IEL Regionals @ Lewiston 

5/15-17 — 5A State Championship 

*All matchups are doubleheaders*

    Sandpoint High senior utility player Baylie Hindle gets ready to swing at a pitch during a home game last year against Priest River.