The North fastpitch softball teams have winning weekend in Cd'A, Post Falls
The North 16U huddles around coaches Logan Conro and Leah Platt before a tournament game this past weekend.
(Courtesy Photo)
Four players from The North share some smiles and laughs at the Summer River Bash tournaments this past weekend. Back row, from left, Ryelle Short, Hannah Frago, and Jennifer Petersen. In front, Ava Frederickson.
As the summer sports season comes to an end, both the North’s 16U and 14U fastpitch softball teams had two wins in tournaments in Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene on July 14-16. Players are from Boundary and Bonner counties.
The North 16U
The North 16U went 2-2 at the 16U Summer River Bash held at Post Falls High School. The team defeated Giants Fastpitch 16U 8-2, and Villains-Duncan 16U 17-1. Both of the team's losses came against Maniacs-Bass/Davis 16U.
In the win over Giants Fastpitch of Bothell, Wash., on Saturday, Sandpoint High School rising star Ainsley Hull received the win on the mound throwing five innings giving up just three hits, two walks, one earned run and striking out two batters.
At the plate, the team compiled 12 hits. Olivia Fitchett and Peyton Cessna each had multi-hit efforts. Fitchett went 3-for-4 with three singles and a game-high four RBIs. Cessna went 2-for-3 with two singles and an RBI. Sarah Koskela and Ava Frederickson, of Bonners Ferry, both recorded doubles.
Later Saturday, The North dominated Villains-Duncan in three innings with a 16-run victory. Fitchett continued swinging a hot bat going 3-for-3 with two singles, a double, and two RBIs. Cessna and Koskela recorded seven RBIs combined. Besides Fitchett, Hull was the only other player to record multiple hits for The North.
On the mound, Fitchett threw a gem. She lasted all three innings letting up five hits, one run (zero earned), one walk and struck out five batters.
“The girls came together and played their game,” head coach Logan Conro said. “Our only losses came to the teams that ended up fighting for the tournament championship. It was a great weekend for the North 16U.”
Conro also mentioned that some other key moments this past weekend were from Sandpoint’s Bailey Lancaster who hit her first home run and was “a wall” behind the plate in the catcher position; from Cessna, who had multiple diving plays on the infield; and from Abi Miller, who had great plate appearances.
The North 14U
The North 14U went 2-2 at the 14U Summer River Bash held at Ramsey Park in Coeur d’Alene. The team defeated Palouse Havoc Blue 14U 12-1, and Charge Fastpitch 14U 18-5. The team suffered losses to Krushers 14U and 406 Flyers 14U.
“We battled this weekend. The girls had three games Saturday and went 2-1. It was a long, hot day, but they stayed with it and finished the day with a winning record,” head coach John Wilson said.
On Saturday against Palouse, The North took advantage of plenty of walks. Ryelle Short led the team with a triple and three RBIs. Both Jennifer Petersen and Taylor Bannick had two RBIs each. Bailey Wilson went 2-for-2 with two singles and an RBI; she also received the win on the mound over four innings giving up four hits, one run (zero earned) and two walks while compiling four strikeouts.
Immediately after defeating Palouse, the team went on to defeat Charge Fastpitch. The North racked up 18 runs and 17 hits in just four innings of play. All 11 players who played reached base in the contest. Raelyn Olsen had one of the many big performances on the day; Olsen went 3-for-4 with three singles, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Petersen, Short, Bannick and Jean Marshall also had multiple hits in the contest.
Short received the win on the mound, giving up just two hits, two earned runs, six walks and recorded six strikeouts.
Despite the loss in Sunday’s game against the 406 Flyers, Wilson said the team had plenty of highlights.
“Sunday we had a difficult game,” Wilson said. “The opposing pitcher hit her spots and made it tough on our hitters. However, we had a couple great defensive plays. Ryelle Short made a strong throw from shortstop to Avery Inge, who tagged a runner out at home which saved us a run.”
Wilson also added that Teagan Newsom, at a full sprint and while stretching out, had an unbelievable over-the-head catch to rob an opposing batter of a base hit.
“We had a very good inaugural season with the 14Us,” Wilson said. “This group of girls continued to work and get better throughout the season. With the season now over, we are planning on having tryouts soon for the 2024 season. The girls get a little break and then will start working again.”
Overall on the season, three players batted over .400 – Wilson (0.444), Newsom (0.415) and Petersen (0.414). On the mound, Wilson led the team with 32 strikeouts while Short added 19 of her own on the season.
