The North falls in two hard-fought games against Lake City

SANDPOINT — The North 16U battled hard against the Lake City Thunder 16U in a doubleheader at the SMS softball field on Wednesday. The North lost the first game 15-2, and the second game 10-6.

It was The North’s first softball games back after a tournament in Frenchtown, Mont., this past weekend. While the team was not able to secure a win in the Fury Fastpitch Summer Sizzler, the girls made tons of progress as a team. The North, whose youngest player just turned 13 years old, went up against 18U teams in the Frenchtown tournament; some teams even had college-level players.

“It was the best competition we have seen,” head coach Logan Conro said. “Our girls persevered through tons of challenges — a nine-hour rain delay, softball until 11:30 at night. The girls just continue to get better. Other coaches are telling us we’re just a couple of ‘lightbulb’ moments away, and I agree. We were in every game this past weekend.”

Conro reflected on some amazing play from Baylie Hindle, Abi Miller, Peyton Cessna, Bailey Lancaster and Sarah Koskela at their most recent tournament.

That amazing play continued on Wednesday. Despite a lopsided score in Game 1, The North proved they could compete with some of the best travel teams in North Idaho with a close second game against a well-established Thunder squad.

The North found themselves trailing 4-1 in the top of the third, but were able to rally. Marley Neesvig hit an RBI single to center field that scored Ryelle Short and Hannah Frago. Ava Frederickson was then able to hit home Jennifer Petersen on the very next at-bat. Hindle gave The North a 5-4 lead after reaching first base on a dropped third strike that scored Neesvig.

The North would score one more run after an RBI single from Kaylee McCown in the fourth, but would eventually fall 10-6 after a battle to the very end. This was the closest The North have been to defeating the Thunder in the three times they have faced off against each other, Conro said.

“I think some of the miscues come from our girls not seeing this level of competition before, but when we start making those key plays we are right in these games,” she added. “I thought we hit a lot better and were a lot more aggressive in Game 2.”

Koskela led The North on the mound and in the batter’s box. Koskela went two-for-two with two singles, an RBI, and a run scored. She pitched five complete innings on the mound giving up nine hits and six earned runs while striking out six batters. On the field, Frederickson made some diving catches in center field, McCown, who usually plays second or third, had some great snags at first base, and Short, who is just 13 years old, made some run-saving plays at third base.

The North will be back in action at the 2023 Montana Rumble Tournament on Saturday, where they will face PNW Fearless Fastpitch, Crossfire Metzler Fastpitch and the Stealers Fastpitch.

GAME ONE

LAKE CITY 15, THE NORTH 2

Lake City 214 17 – 15 8 1

The North 020 0X – 2 2 8

W – Palmer. L – Hull.

HITS: NOR – Frederickson, Koskela. LC – Hanna 3, Avalos, Palmer, DeMent, Dykes.

2B — Avalos. 3B – Hanna.

GAME TWO

THE NORTH 6 , LAKE CITY 10

The North 104 10 – 6 7 5

Lake City 224 02 – 10 9 1

W – Whaley. L – Koskela.

HITS: NOR – Koskela 2, Neesvig 2, McCown, Hull, Fairbank. LC – Palmer 3, Avalos 2, Hanna, Zimmerman, Barnard.

2B — Avalos. HR – Barnard.