Sandpoint softball drops season-opening double-header in Lewiston

Sandpoint softball started its trek back to the state tournament with a double-header in Lewiston last Saturday, in which the Bulldogs fell to the 5A Bengals 11-1 and 15-2.

“Everyone swung the bats well, but we couldn’t find any holes in the Bengals’ defense,” Sandpoint head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams said, before mentioning a bright spot for the team’s performances. “Tanis Davis started right where she left off last season with timely hitting with runners in scoring position.”

Davis was the Bulldogs’ most consistent player throughout the difficult double-header. The two-way senior was the only Bulldog to record hits in both games; inside the circle, Davis tried staving off a scorching-hot Bengals’ offense that run-ruled fellow 4A IEL school Lakeland in a double-header earlier this season.

“Defense, the players’ passion and Tanis Davis’ hitting continued to be a bright spot for us in the second game,” Hawkins-Williams said. “Kinzie Ward continued to play very well in the outfield, along with strong play from Brooklen Steiger and Zoey Barajas. Emma Loutzenhiser was aggressive on the base path in the final inning to get herself in scoring position.”

All in all, the Bulldogs showed flashes of greatness on defense and on the bases, yet couldn’t put it all together. Yet Hawkins-Williams remains optimistic and knows this is merely the first step in a long season.

“Overall, the team worked very hard, maintained positive attitudes and had a team-first mentality,” Hawkins-Williams said. “This is just the beginning for us, and it looks like we have a bright future.”

Sandpoint’s next four games will be at the Spring Break Classic in Boise this weekend, where the Bulldogs will play Boise-area schools New Plymouth, Vallivue, Centennial and Borah in the span of two days.

First pitch against New Plymouth is scheduled for Friday at 1 p.m.

Game one

Sandpoint 001 00 — 1 1 3

Lewiston 241 31 — 11 13 2

Game called in 5th inning due to run-rule

Sara O’Connor (2); Tanis Davis (1). W — Mackimmie (1-0). L — Davis (0-1)

HITS: Sandpoint — Davis. Lewiston — Lawrence, Foster, Barney 2, Bausch, O’Connor 2. 2B — Barney, Taylor, Bausch, House. 3B — Sorenson, Wells.

Game two

Sandpoint 000 02 — 2 3 5

Lewiston 465 0x — 15 13 0

Game called in 5th inning due to run-rule

Savannah Mader (14); Cresanna Authier, (1), Jaycie Irish. W — Mader (1-0). L — Authier (0-1)

HITS: Sandpoint —Davis, Loutzenhiser. 2B — Davis. Lewiston — Lawrence, Foster 2, Barney 3, Sorenson, Bausch, Wells, Taylor, Mader. 2B — Lawrence, Wells.