SANDPOINT — In the first game of a doubleheader at War Memorial Field on Tuesday, Sandpoint softball was able to hold St. Maries to just three hits.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs were unable to produce enough offense to take down the Lumberjacks, one of the top teams in 2A. SHS lost 4-1.

Despite the defeat, head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams said her team took a huge step forward by showing tremendous grit and determination.

"We've been working really hard on mental toughness because that's an area we've really struggled in this year," she said. "I felt like we crossed a hurdle today because the St. Maries pitcher is very strong and she throws with a lot of movement — which is something they have not experienced before — so they were a little frustrated offensively, but they didn't let that carry over on defense. They played very strong on defense."

Kinzie Ward brought in Sandpoint's only run of the game with an RBI triple in the bottom of the first.

Jaden Dickinson started on the mound and continued her recent run of dominance. She struck out seven batters over 5 2/3 innings.

Hawkins-Williams said Dickinson did a great job battling back when she was behind in the count.

"She pitched so strong for us today," she said. "She's just been building on her strength as a pitcher as this season has progressed."

Cresanna Authier pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief and struck out two.

"I was very proud of my bullpen today," Hawkins-Williams said.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Bulldogs fielded a team made up almost entirely of junior varsity players. The only two varsity players that took the field were Via Barlow and Madi Garman. Both pitched in the game.

A whopping 27 hits were recorded in the game as Sandpoint fell 22-16. Garman hit a home run and Peyton Cessna had a triple.

The Bulldogs (6-8, 2-4 IEL) will look to end a five-game losing streak when they head to rival Lakeland at 2 p.m. Thursday for a doubleheader.

Game 1

St. Maries 000 202 0 — 4 3 1

Sandpoint 100 000 0 — 1 4 1

Watkins and Holder; Jaden Dickinson, Cresanna Authier (6) and Jaidyn Inman.

HITS: SM — Miller, Watkins 2. SHS — Cessna, Gammon, Tuinstra, Ward. 2B — Watkins. 3B — Ward, Watkins.

Game 2

St. Maries 372 404 2 — 22 15 6

Sandpoint 00(12) 011 2 — 16 12 8

Hill, McGreal and unknown catcher; Via Barlow, Madi Garman (4) and Ellie Dysart and Ashlyn Darling.

SHS: 1B – Baeley Sykes, Mayle Ducken (2), Kaylee McCown, Via Barlow, Peyton Cessna, Lyla Kinman, AnnaMarie Gonzalez, Ashlyn Darling; 2B – McCown; 3B – Cessna; HR – Madison Garman. SM: 1B – Chappell (2), Telfood, McGreal, Peel (2), Fuller, Spray, Todd; 2B – Mitchell (2), Peel; 3B – Telfood, Dockery, Todd