SHS softball drops two games in Richland

RICHLAND, Wash. — The Sandpoint softball team dropped their first two games of the season to Kamiakin and Riverside at the Richland Mixer on Saturday, March 18.

Sandpoint lost their first game of the season vs. Kamiakin, 17-0. In the first inning, Kamiakin got out to an early 10-run lead, which really put the Bulldogs in a tough spot, coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams said. Sandpoint was able to hold the Braves scoreless in the second but Kamiakin scored seven more runs in the third.

Ellie Dysart was the only Bulldog who recorded a hit in the first game.

“We were physically ready, but on the emotional and mental side of things, we are just not quite there. Nerves definitely got the best of us,” Hawkins-Williams said.

After shaking off the first game, Sandpoint battled hard against Riverside later in the day but ended up losing 19-8. Cadence Skibitsky and Mayle Ducken led the way with two hits each. Skibitsky recorded two triples while Ducken recorded a single, a double and two RBIs.

The Bulldogs matched Riverside on hits, but defensive miscues led the game astray. Eight errors were committed by the Bulldogs overall in the second game. This is something they will look to improve upon going forward, Hawkins-Williams said.

Although the first two games did not go as expected for Sandpoint, the team is choosing to remain optimistic. Hawkins-Williams said they are excited to play four games in Boise next weekend; she believes the team will progress and become stronger every single week.