Trio of Bulldogs earn All-IEL softball honors

SANDPOINT — The Sandpoint softball team had its best offensive season in years, and the high productivity was rewarded, as three Bulldogs earned spots on the 4A All-Inland Empire League team, as voted on recently by the league’s coaches.

Junior third baseman Morgan Bluemer was an anchor in the middle of the lineup, hitting .357 with a team-high 14 RBIs, while also scoring 15 runs and striking out just five times all season.

“She was our most consistent hitter through the course of the season,” said Bulldogs head coach Derek Dickinson. “She gave a good quality at bat every time up, and was a clutch hitter. Her defense at third base was fantastic.”

Junior first baseman Topi Elsfelder also tore the cover off the ball, leading the team with a robust .383 batting average, while scoring 15 runs to go with a .541 on base percentage. She also was strong defensively, as the Bulldog corner infielders were both honored.

“Topi played a gold glove at first base. It’s nice to have someone you don’t need to worry about. Her defense was nails,” said Dickinson. “She’s dangerous in the middle of the order.”

Rounding out the Bulldogs was senior outfielder Makayla Sundquist, who hit .366 with a home run, 11 RBIs, 11 runs and a .540 on base percentage.

“She didn’t have the varsity experience. She started at the bottom and worked her way up,” said Dickinson. “She was our most consistent outfielder, and showed a strong progression all season.”

MVP — Deven Chandler, sr., Moscow

Newcomer of the Year — Katie Kastning, fr., Lakeland

Coach of the Year — Moscow staff

Pitchers — Josie Span, jr., Moscow, Monica Burnette, sr., Moscow, Makayla Sundquist, sr., Sandpoint. Outfielders — Kari Prockish, so., Lakeland, Brooke Leatham, sr., Lakeland, Topi Elsfelder, jr., Sandpoint. Infielders — Shayna Woolley, jr., Lakeland, Haley Adams, sr., Moscow, Morgan Bluemer, jr., Sandpoint, Rylee Bruce, jr., Moscow. Catcher — Tifani Schorzman, sr., Lakeland. DH/Utility — Emily Vanderhoof, so., Lakeland.