SPIRIT LAKE — The Sandpoint 10U All-Star softball team finished second in the District 1 Little League tournament, forming lifelong bonds along the way.

The three-game tournament was a fantastic experience for all the girls, who battled in every one of their games, head coach Brendt Jernigan said. He added that he was proud of what they were able to accomplish on the biggest stage that any of them had played on. 

"These girls are coming together and playing in a tournament where there's new tournament rules, all those sorts of things," Jernigan said. "They learned and competed, they put forward, just an amazing mentality and attitude throughout the whole process, so really major kudos to them." 

The double-elimination bracket had three teams vying for the title: Sandpoint, Lewiston and St. Maries. While Sandpoint dropped their first game of the tournament to Lewiston, 19-6, they bounced back for a once-in-a-lifetime result against St. Maries. 

In the second game of the tournament, the Sandpoint All-Stars scored 36 runs in a 36-17 five-inning classic. Once the tournament wrapped up, Jernigan said he highlighted that game as one to remember and build upon as the players continue their journey in sports. 

"I don't think I've ever seen 36 runs scored in any game I've ever watched at any level," Jernigan said. "I think a lot of it really just goes to them kind of locking in and wanting to compete." 

Against St. Maries, the girls posted 15 runs in the first inning, which Jernigan credits to a more aggressive approach at the plate and on the basepaths. Though the team scored 36 runs, they were only credited with eight hits. Sandpoint was able to keep things moving on the basepaths by drawing a total of 33 walks in the game. 

The star of the show against St. Maries was Paige Jernigan, who totaled three hits, including a double, and two RBIs in her four plate appearances. Deliah Victorson, Isla Haller, Delaney Doran, Rebekah Aexel and Mekena Nordella all worked four walks each, contributing to the astronomical team total. 

A strong first inning from Sandpoint's Irie Hillbroom limited the St. Maries team to just three runs in the first inning. St. Maries didn't go quietly, though, posting 10 runs in the bottom of the third and narrowing Sandpoint's lead to 21-15.  

Brendt Jernigan said the team turned on the gas after that, scoring four runs in the fourth and 11 runs in the fifth to put the game away. The head coach also touted Haller's day in the circle, who delivered two and one-third innings, only giving up three hits and two runs, while striking out six batters. 

"It was amazing, it was a lot of fun across the board," Jernigan said. 

With the win, Sandpoint moved into the championship round for a rematch with Lewiston. This time, it was the Lewiston All-Stars who had an offensive explosion, scoring 13 runs in the second and winning the game 17-1 after three innings. 

Though it wasn't the result that Sandpoint was looking for, Jernigan said he told the team to keep their heads high and be proud of all they accomplished.  

"These are all really big foundational steps that they are able to take and launch and continue to grow," Jernigan said. "It's pretty exciting for the future of the Sandpoint area programs here for softball with all those girls, [because of] the way they approached it." 

    A Sandpoint 10U All-Star delivers a pitch from the circle during one of their District 1 tournament games.