Softball comes close against Trojans

BONNERS FERRY — In the fourth inning the Badger worked on a comeback over the Troy Trojans on April 2.

The Badgers came close, but it was a swing and a miss. In the fourth the Badgers were down 4-2. Pitcher Taylor Sumpter had struck out two in a row, but then proceeded to walk the next three batters. When the bases were loaded Troy made a hit and added another run on the board. 

Ava Frederickson was brought in a struck out the next batter. 

In the button of the fourth the Badgers got to base and Jodi Curtis scored an RBI, making it 6-3. The Badger looked to be turning the corner. 

Catcher Savannah Rickter chased down a Trojan runner from third before they could get to home plate. However, the Trojans responded, unhesitating to steal and scoring off hits to the outfield, winning 12-6. 

Taylor Sumpter went four-for-four at the plate for the Badgers, with two hits and a triple and three strikeouts. Alaina Schmier had two runs. 

The Badgers first game of the season was against 4A Sandpoint. 

“That Priest River win was really important for our confidence,” Bonners Ferry head coach Cynthia Sumpter said.

The biggest issue for girls getting into the box was their confidence, she said. 

“We have good hitters, we have left handed hitters, slap hitters, bunt hitters, fake bunt hitters,” she said. “We also have a great base running.”

The Badgers' fake bunt hitters were on display during the game, as Sumpter stole home plate off a pitching error due to Jodee Curtis’ bunt stance. 

The Badgers have also been working on steals and focusing on 3A opponent Timberlake. 

“The most important game is against Timberlake. All these are pre-season games to me,” Sumpter said. “They are warm-up games. [To the players] get all your jitters out now.”

The Badgers did not play Priest River on March 26, as the team’s schedules conflicted. Bonners Ferry softball hosted Kellogg on Wednesday in a double header. 

BF: 110 112—6

TROY:003 324—12

Hits: BF: J.Curtis, S. Koehn, A. Schmier, S. Frederickson, A. Koehn (1), T. Sumpter (2). 

    Third base player Jaydin Falck gets runner out at third by foot race.