COEUR d'ALENE — The Sandpoint softball team was unable to record a hit in an 18-0 season-opening loss to Lake City on Saturday.

"The game today was part of our learning process, and there were a lot more positives than negatives," head coach Elizabeth Hawkins-Williams said. "We already knew we had a lot of developing to do this season, and today gave us a good look at the areas where we need to improve the most. Most of our players were introduced to varsity level pitching today, and it was a shell-shock for them ... Our players stayed positive throughout the game, which is difficult to do when you are down by so many runs."

Despite the loss, senior Madi Garman had a solid outing on the mound for the Bulldogs. She pitched 3 1/3 innings and recorded a pair of strikeouts.

"She was hitting her spots and used her off-speed pitches to keep the Lake City batters off balance," Hawkins-Williams said. "It was an exciting start to her senior campaign."

The Timberwolves scored 13 runs in the fourth inning and the game came to end in the fifth due to the 10-run rule.

Hawkins-Williams said the team got some great defensive performances from catcher Jaidyn Inman, first baseman Kaylee Brackett, third baseman Cresanna Authier and left-fielder Lily Gammon, who are all newcomers to varsity this season.

"I think this team will grow a lot this year, and I am excited to watch their growth from today to the end of the season," she said.

Sandpoint (0-1) hosts Post Falls at 3 p.m. Tuesday at War Memorial Field in their home opener.

Sandpoint 000 00 — 0 0 0

Lake City 023 (13)x — 18 12 0

Madi Garman, Cresanna Authier (4), Garman (4) and Jaidyn Inman; Phoebe Schultze and Hope Bodak.

HITS: Spt — none. LC — A. Hill 2, Begalman, Jankay 2, Gray, Bodak, Stoddard, Schultze 2, T. Hill 2. 2B — Bodak, Schultze 2, T. Hill.