SOFTBALL: Badgers end season, Timberlake nabs fifth straight district title
Bonners Ferry softball team photo.
(Photo By: EMILY BONSANT)
SPIRIT LAKE — Bonners Ferry softball ended their season on Thursday, May 9 as Timberlake swept the 3A Intermountain League District 1 title in two games.
Acacia Pecor struck out 10, walked one and pitched a two-hitter, and the top-seeded Timberlake Tigers beat the second-seeded Bonners Ferry Badgers 12-2 in six innings. Timberlake won its fifth straight district title, and 17th district title since 2000.
Reese Allaway had two hits and drove in three runs for Timberlake (14-8), which advanced to state May 16-18 at the Moscow School District Community Playfields.
Bonners Ferry finished 4-15.
Alillah Dykes delivered a two-run single as Timberlake took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Allaway singled in a pair of runs in the third as the Tigers went up 6-0.
Allaway’s single in the sixth inning scored Casey Whaley to end the game on the 10-run rule.
“Acacia pitched a great game today for us,” Timberlake coach Casi Lupinacci said. “We did a good job of stringing together hits and creating chaos on the base paths. If we can continue to play this well we will make a run at the (state) tournament.”
Whaley and Marissa Needs each scored three runs for Timberlake.
In Game 1, Timberlake won 26-3 opening up the game with 11 runs in the first inning.
Bonners Ferry head coach Cynthia Sumpter said looking back at the season, the Badgers came out strong and had the confidence in the box. This transferred over to base running.
“We came out almost every game aggressive, ready to hit and steal bases,” she said. “I worked hard this year as a coach to explain sacrifice bunts and for players to understand the game in different scenarios.”
The players learned how to take advantage of situations, such as when a pitcher isn’t being attentive and faking a bunt in order for a runner to steal home.
In her second season as head coach, Sumpter focused on execution this season, as she focused on relationships and fundamentals last year.
“Our seniors, Jodee Curtis, Ava Frederickson and Taylor Sumpter, were great leaders and took the time to teach the underclassmen. They had great attitudes and worked great together,” she said.
She said she’s excited to see what next season brings, but that the team will be losing talent in the graduating seniors. However, underclassmen have a strong understanding of softball.
Softball will have summer camps June 24-27 for second to eighth grade. The skills camp is $270 for more information visit https://app.usbaseballacademy.com/camps/summer-camp-bonners-ferry-softball
Game 2
Bonners Ferry 000 200 — 2 2 7
Timberlake 033 321 — 12 8 1
Taylor Sumpter, Jodee Curtis (6) and Ava Frederickson, Rebekah McBride (x); Acacia Pecor and Logan Walsh.
HITS: BF — A. Frederickson, K. Sumpter. TL — Dykes 2, Kitchin, Walsh, Whaley, Cameron, Allaway 2. 2B — Ava Frederickson, Kitchin, Walsh.
Game 1
Bonners Ferry 001 11 — 3 5 6
Timberlake (11)33 9x — 26 14 1
Taylor Sumpter, Jodee Curtis (2), Jennifer Petersen (4) and Ava Frederickson; Casey Whaley and Logan Walsh.
HITS: BF — Falck, S. Frederickson, Gardner, McBride, K. Sumpter. TL — Kitchin 2, Walsh 2, Pecor 3, Needs 3, Whaley, Cameron, Allaway 2. 2B — Pecor, Needs, Walsh. 3B — S. Frederickson, Walsh. HR — Pecor, Needs.