Zimmerman electrifies in DH win against Bonners Ferry

Jack Zimmerman hit a single during the bottom of the seventh inning in Game 2 of Sandpoint’s doubleheader against Bonners Ferry at War Memorial Field, with the game tied at five runs apiece.

He proceeded to show off his athleticism.

Zimmerman stole second, making it to the bag just as the throw was being made to the second baseman.

After a simple pop-out, Zimmerman advanced to third base.

The senior then went for the trifecta and slid home after a passed ball to give the Bulldogs the 6-5 victory over the Badgers.

“I was thinking we’re going to play good baseball and good baseball wins games,” Zimmerman said. “Running the bases is something that I’ve wanted to work on these last couple of seasons and it’s finally paying off.”

Sandpoint won game one of the doubleheader 9-2.

Zimmerman took over on the mound during the top of the fourth after Bonners Ferry went on a 4-0 spurt in the second to take a 4-1 lead.

Zimmerman only needed three pitches to strike out his first batter of the ball game.

He went on to strike out Bonners Ferry’s second batter to put the Badgers in the hole.

Zimmerman did give up one hit in the inning which allowed a runner to score, giving Bonners Ferry a 5-3 edge.

From there, he allowed no runs on two hits and struck out five.

“From last year to this year, I went from being a role player to wanting to be a leader,” Zimmerman said. “It also seems like people want me to lead.”

The Bulldogs began to go on its spurt when Auggie Lehman hit a single, bringing home Zimmerman and Auggie’s brother Andrew Lehman to cut its deficit to 4-3.

Kody MacDonald tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with a ground-ball single that found the gap which brought home both Ethan Butler and Andrew Lehman.

Zimmerman’s savvy base running was what ultimately won the Bulldogs game two of the doubleheader, but Sandpoint struggled running the bases throughout.

“We need to work on base running without a doubt,” Sandpoint high school baseball coach Chase Tigert said. “We work on base running every single day in practice; that's kind of what (Jack) Zimmerman demonstrated late in the game.”

After two scoreless innings in the first game between Bonners Ferry and Sandpoint, the Bulldogs scored three runs in both the bottom of the third and fourth innings to take a 6-0 advantage.

Bonners scored two runs during the top of the fifth, but Sandpoint quickly answered with three more runs to take a 9-3 advantage.

The Bulldogs managed to stay pretty clean in this game, getting eight hits and committing no errors.

Collin Roos got the start on the mound in the first game and threw 66 total pitches and gave up no runs on three hits and struck out seven.

Zeke Roop came in relief for Roos in the fifth inning and gave up two runs on three hits and struck out two.

Auggie Lehman went 3-for-3 at the plate in game one and was perfect at the dish throughout the doubleheader, going a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate.

ZImmerman and Macdonald both notched a triple.

This doubleheader also served as Sandpoint’s home opener.

“It feels great to be back at home,” Tigert said. “It’s nice we’re able to be out here and the snow has finally melted.”

Sandpoint improved to 2-1 on the season and will take a hiatus for spring break and will next play Lake City at 2 p.m on Tuesday, April 12, at War Memorial Field.

GAME ONE

BONNERS FERRY 000 020 0 — 2 6 3

SANDPOINT 003 330 X — 9 8 0

Tiegan Banning, Elijah Dahl (4), and Bo Bateman. Colin Roos, Zeke Roop (5), and Kohlton Wagoner.

HITS: BF —Naylor 2, Schulte, Dahl. SPT — Zimmerman, A. Lehman 2, D. Lehman 3, Turner, Dillion, MacDonald. 2B — Naylor, Dahl, Zimmerman. 3B — Schulte, MacDonald.

GAME TWO

BONNERS FERRY 040 100 0 — 5 8 4

SANDPOINT 102 020 1 — 6 5 2

Trey Bateman, Roger Nayler (4), and Teigan Banning, Bo Bateman (4). Jack Ringer, Jack Zimmerman (4), and Auggie Lehman.

HITS: BF — B. Bateman 3, Rice, T. Bateman 2, Banning 2.