POST FALLS — Sandpoint, despite falling to the Trojans 12-2 and 17-15 on Friday, scored 10-plus runs against Post Falls for the first time since 2013, which shows the team is making vast improvements.

In Game 1, Sandpoint struggled at the plate. Sara Bryson knocked in the Bulldogs’ only two runs during the top of the second, doubling to center field. In Game 2, however, things really turned around.

To start off the second game, Sandpoint scored four in the first frame after Peyton Cessna hit a bases-clearing triple to score three runs; she was brought home by Bailey Lancaster the very next at-bat. In the second inning, Sandpoint stayed hot as Cessna and Haley Smotherman both hit RBI doubles to give the Bulldogs a 6-2 lead.

Tied 8-8 heading into the bottom of the fifth, Sandpoint let up nine runs, but continued to battle. In the top of the sixth, Cadence Skibitsky hit a two-run home run to right field to pull Sandpoint within seven. In the top of the seventh, Smotherman and Kaylee McCown hit back-to-back two-run doubles, Skibitsky an RBI single before the Trojans finally got to three outs.

“We fought as a team and chipped away at the deficit,” head coach Leah Platt said. “The girls were warriors today and never gave up — they really pushed through. Although it wasn’t a win on the scoreboard, there were huge strides in personal and team wins as well as mental toughness. I am extremely proud of them all.”

Skibitsky finished the second game 3-for-4 with two doubles, a homerun, and three RBIs. Cessna was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, and four RBIs. Smotherman was 3-for-5 with two doubles, a single, three RBIs, and a stolen base. Lancaster, McCown, and Teagan Newsom also had muli-hit efforts.

Platt said her pitchers battled tremendously and that Sandpoint’s defense recovered quickly after making errors. Leading the defense on the day were Skibitsky, who had a diving catch in center field, and Lancaster, who continues to be a wall behind the plate.

Sandpoint (3-9) will host Lakeland for a doubleheader on Thursday.

GAME ONE

Sandpoint 020 00X X – 2 3 7

Post Falls 354 0XX X – 12 9 1

Game called in fifth due to 10-run rule.

HITS: SPT – Bryson 1, Newsom 1, Smotherman 1. PF – Berg 2, Peahu 2, Felix 1, Dan 1, Rouse 1, McCarroll 1, Stroud 1.

2B – Berg 2, Peahu 2, Bryson, Newsom. HR – Dan, Skibitsky.

RBI: SPT – Bryson 2. PF – Peahu 2, Berg 2, Dan 2, Rouse 2.

GAME TWO

Sandpoint 420 022 5 – 15 16 5

Post Falls 202 490 X – 17 11 2

HITS: SPT – Cessna 3, Skibitsky 3, Smotherman 3, McCown 2, Newsom 2, Lancaster 1, Bryson 1, Hindle 1. PF – Rouse 4, Berg 2, Felix 2, Dan 1, McCarroll 1, Carpenter 1.

2B – Smotherman 2, Cessna 2, Felix 2, McCown, Bryson, Rouse, Carpenter.

RBI: SPT – Cessna 4, Skibitsky 3, Smotherman 3, McCown 2, Lancaster 1. PF – Rouse 5, Dan 3, Berg 2, Felix 2, Carpenter 2, Peahu 1, Stroud 1.