Sandpoint falls to West Valley in season opener
Jack Zimmerman rounds third base and sprints toward home during the ninth inning of last year's doubleheader against Moscow.
(Photo by DYLAN GREENE)
SPOKANE — After dealing with game postponements and not being able to practice outside, the Sandpoint baseball team was finally able to say “Let’s play ball.”
The Bulldogs traveled to Spokane to take on the West Valley Eagles and despite notching more hits, West Valley was able to escape with the 8-5 victory.
West Valley drew first blood, bringing two runners home in the bottom of the first inning.
Sandpoint quickly responded by scoring a run in back-to-back innings during the second and third to tie the game at two.
West Valley answered by scoring four runs in the bottom of the third to take the 6-2 advantage.
Every time the Bulldogs would inch closer, it seemed as though the Eagles would have an answer.
At the top of the fifth, Sandpoint scored two runs to cut West Valley’s lead to 7-4.
The Eagles failed to answer in the bottom of the inning and Sandpoint didn’t bring any runners home in the sixth.
West Valley scored one run during the bottom of the sixth to extend its lead to 8-4.
“It felt like we were always one pitch away from taking the lead,” Sandpoint baseball coach Chase Tigert said. “I’m really proud of the kids. They continued to chip away throughout the entire game.”
Its game against West Valley was the first time the Bulldogs had stepped on the field all season.
The fielding for Sandpoint played exceptionally well, according to Tigert, given the circumstances the Bulldogs faced leading up to the game.
“Our infielders did amazing,” Tigert said. “They played really well, especially for being on grass for the first time this season.”
The Bulldogs were also effective on the mound. Sandpoint went through three pitchers, each pitching three innings.
Zeke Roop started the game; he threw 51 pitches and gave up five runs on two hits and had five strikeouts.
Auggie Lehman came in relief of Roop to begin the third and threw 47 pitches, giving up two runs on three hits, along with two strikeouts.
Jack Zimmerman closed out the game and gave up no hits on 37 pitches and struck out four.
Zimmerman also went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double.
“Jack is a gamer,” Tigert said. “You can always count on him to get the job done in every situation. He’s a huge part of this program.”
The Bulldogs start its season 0-1 and will next play a doubleheader against Bonners Ferry at home on Tuesday, March 29.
Sandpoint 011 020 1 — 5 8 3
West Valley 204 101 x — 8 5 1
Zeke Roop, Auggie Lehman (3), Jack Zimmerman (5) and Kohlton Wagoner. John Austin, Andrew Aiken (3), Bryson Bishop (5), Caleb Gray.
HITS; SPT — Zimmerman 3, Drew Lehman, Auggie Lehman, Wagoner, Dillon, Macdonald. WV — O’Neal 2, Maxwell 2, Hancock. 2B — D. Lehman, Macdonald, Zimmerman, Wagoner, O’Neal, Hancock.