Badger softball dominates in league matchup against Kellogg

KELLOGG — The Badger offense cranked out 38 hits and scored 36 runs in a doubleheader sweep at Intermountain League foe Kellogg on Thursday, April 15.

Bonners Ferry beat Kellogg 24-2 in the first matchup and 12-8 in the second game of the day.

The Badgers offense was rolling in the opener, scoring 10 runs in the first two innings to take an early lead, while pitcher Anna Bliss only allowed two runs and struck out 12 Wildcats.

According to head coach Kassy Skeen, there was much improvement in the physical aspect of her team's play, but what made a big difference was the improvement on the mental game and making sure players don’t psych themselves out.

“I saw all these improvements made, and the fact of picking our team up that was a huge thing I noticed against Kellogg, our dugout was loud; we were calling plays, everyone knew where they were supposed to go.” Skeen said about the matchup.

As the season has progressed, the team has solidified their positions but players are flexible enough to cover other positions if needed.

According to Skeen, “it was just great to watch all that come together, positions have become more set, we finally see where people excel and have an understanding for the game and that position.”

There are many players on the team who are what Skeen calls “utility players” that play all over the field and can be effective in elevating the game from many positions.

“Even though positions are becoming more set I know I could trust any girl to play any position I asked them to,” Skeen said about her athletes.

The softball team celebrated its doubleheader sweep but is focused to continue to improve by addressing certain aspects of the game.

“Our base running was not as aggressive as I’d like us to be and good players are still doubting themselves a little bit, and we just need to build that confidence,” Skeen said.

Skeen said the Kellogg games were a great start to the beginning of league matches and the girls were ready and pumped to progress this season.

The mindset in the second matchup was to continue their success and play well but go into the game that it would be difficult and not easy — even though they dominated the first match.

Skeen stated, “I was so impressed to see their mental and physical state of that game and how they dug deep to truly pull out that second win.”

Bonners Ferry 24-12, Kellogg 2-8

Game 1

HITS: Rose Owens 3, Mateya Falck 3, Anna Bliss 3, Rikki Cowin 2, Savannah Rickter 2, Charley Pruitt 2, Paisley Schulte, Kaylee Sumpter, Sydnee Blevins.

2B: Cowin, Pruitt, Bliss. SB: Blevins 3, Rickter 3, Falck 2, Owens, Sumpter, Pruitt.

PITCHING

BF: Anna Bliss 5 IP, 4 hits, 2 runs (both earned), 3 walks, 12 strikeouts.

Game 2

HITS: Sumpter 4, Falck 4, Blevins 3, Owens 2, Cowin 2, Rickter 2, Schulte, Bliss, Pruitt.

2B: Bliss, Sumpter. SB: Falck, Blevins, Cowin, Schulte, Bliss, Rickter.

PITCHING

BF: Anna Bliss 7 IP, 7 hits, 8 runs (7 earned), 6 walks, 6 strikeouts.  

Timberlake 25-11, Bonners Ferry 0-0

SPIRIT LAKE — Acacia Pecor pitched a one-hitter in the opener, Bernie Carhart struck out seven and scattered four hits in the nightcap, and Peyton Lindley hit three home runs on the day as the host Tigers blanked the Badgers twice in Intermountain League play on Tuesday, April 20.

“We were going well in all of the different facets of the game,” Timberlake coach Casi Lupinacci said. “Offensively, defensively and pitching, we played really well. It was a good all-around day.”

In the first game, Emma Howard homered and finished 4 for 5 with three RBIs and four runs scored for Timberlake (11-3, 4-0 IML). Lindley hit a two-run homer in the first and a three-run shot in the second. Brooke Jessen was 4 for 4 with four RBIs and two runs scored, Lacey Peterson was 3 for 4 with four RBIs and three runs, and Logan Walsh was 3 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs.

In the second game, Lindley hit a two-run homer in the second inning and finished with three RBIs, and Logan Walsh also homered for the Tigers. Bernie Carhart had two hits and drove in four runs.

Bonners Ferry is 2-2 IML.

Timberlake plays host to Kellogg on Friday in an IML doubleheader.

FIRST GAME

Bonners Ferry 000 00 — 0 1 5

Timberlake 2(13)8 2x — 25 23 0

Anna Bliss and Rikki Cowin; Acacia Pecor and Lily Carhart.

HITS: BF — Bliss. TL — Howard 4, L. Carhart 2, B. Carhart 3, Lindley 3, Walsh 3, Jessen 4, Pecor, Peterson 3. 2B — B. Carhart 2, L. Carhart, Howard, Jessen, Peterson, Walsh 2. HR — Howard, Lindley 2.

SECOND GAME

Bonners Ferry 000 00 — 0 4 3

Timberlake 182 0x — 11 10 0

Anna Bliss and Rikki Cowin; Bernie Carhart and Lily Carhart.

HITS: BF — Schulte 2, Frederickson, Falck. TL — Howard 2, L. Carhart, B. Carhart 2, Lindley, Walsh 2, Grantham, Peterson. 2B — B. Carhart, Howard. HR — Lindley, Walsh.