Bulldogs stave off rally from Trojans, improve to 2-0
Senior Avery Bocksch pitches during Saturday's home game against Lake City. Bocksch pitched five innings in Tuesday's win at Post Falls and allowed just one run while striking out four.
(File photo by DYLAN GREENE)
POST FALLS — The Sandpoint baseball team found themselves in another one-run game on Tuesday at Post Falls. But once again, the Bulldogs persevered.
Trailing 5-1 entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Trojans scored three runs to make it 5-4. Then a clutch play was made between shortstop Cameron Garcia and third baseman Kody MacDonald to pick off a runner and seal the 5-4 Inland Empire League victory for Sandpoint.
The Bulldogs' ability to fend off a late rally by Post Falls says a lot about the character of this team, head coach Chase Tigert said.
"Our guys are just able to play in those high pressure situations," he said. "They stay composed and it really is just a testament to the kids. They've been working their tails off and they are prepared for those situations and they believe in themselves and they believe in their teammates, and when you have that kind of belief in each other you can get things done."
Sandpoint also held on for a one run win in its season opener against Lake City on Saturday.
"We're just excited to be where we're at right now," Tigert said.
The game was scoreless through three innings, but in the top of the fourth Cody Newhart doubled to bring in a pair of runs and Max Thielbahr singled to bring in another. That gave SHS a 3-0 lead.
Post Falls picked up its first run of the game in the fifth and the Bulldogs clung to a 3-1 advantage until the top of the seventh when senior Evan Williams stepped to the plate. With two outs and Ethan Butler standing on first base, Williams blasted a two-run homer.
Those two runs ended up being the difference in the game. Tigert said the two-run bomb gave the whole team a jolt of energy.
"Evan Williams got up there and he just saw a fastball that he liked and he just turned on that thing and drove it over the left field wall," he said. "It was amazing to just have that energy pulsating through the team."
Senior Avery Bocksch started on the mound for Sandpoint and was dealing. He allowed just three hits and one run across five innings of work while striking out four.
"He was just lights out on the mound," Tigert said. "He just attacked hitters and pounded the zone ... he just threw amazing today."
Newhart, Thielbahr and Williams each stole two bases and Tigert said Trevor Brackett had a solid day behind the plate.
Opening the season with a pair of victories over 5A opponents shows what this team is capable of, Tigert said.
"We got a special group of guys, we really do," he said. "Not only are they talented, but they love playing with each other, they bought into the process, they're some of the hardest working kids that I've ever coached and they have some of the best attitudes I've ever coached."
The Bulldogs (2-0, 2-0 IEL) head to Timberlake at 4 p.m. Thursday.
Sandpoint 000 3002 — 5 6 2
Post Falls 000 0103 — 4 7 3
Avery Bocksch, Jack Zimmerman (6), Cody Newhart (7) and Trevor Brackett; Nick Chase, Ethan Miller (4) and Zach Clark. W — Bocksch. L — Chase.
HITS: SHS — Newhart 2, Thielbahr, Butler, Williams, MacDonald. PF — C. Rutherford 3, Zeller, Cripps, T. Rutherford, Sessions. 2B — Newhart 2. HR — Williams.