LAST SEASON: 7-20 (3-11 5A IEL); loss in second round of 5A IEL District Championships. 

COACHES: Leah Platt (97'), head coach, third year.

KEY RETURNERS: Cadence Skibitsky (1B/OF), sr.; Teagan Newsom (SS/3B/RHP), jr.; Arah Stevens (3B/C), sr.; Marlee Stevens (LHP/1B/OF), so.; Avery Inge (C/3B/SS), so.; Bailey Wilson (LHP/1B/OF), so.; Raelyn Olsen (2B/SS/OF), so.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Arianna Turnbull (OF/C), so.; Bailey Pierson (UTIL) so.; Jazzy Thomspon (UTIL), fr.; Taylor Bannick (UTIL), so; Zxyloh Hull-Johnson (OF), jr.

KEY LOSSES TO GRADUATION: Bailey Lancaster (C/1B); Ainsley Hull (OF/RHP); Abi Miller (2B/3B/OF); Baylie Hindle (OF/3B/SS); Emma Kohal (OF/2B/1B).

OUTLOOK: Between 2021 and 2024, the Lady Bulldogs amassed just eight wins in four seasons, including an 0-25 record in 2023. Fast forward to last year, and third-year head coach Leah Platt has given the program new hope as her squad posted a 7-20 record and beat every team in the 5A Inland Empire League at least once. Sandpoint even took down 6A Post Falls by a 7-6 margin, something that hasn't occurred in well over a decade.

The Lady Bulldogs will be losing some firepower and speed, respectively, in Bailey Lancaster (now at Principia College) and Baylie Hindle (now at Yakima Valley College). They'll also lose former key pieces Abi Miller, Emma Kohal and Ainsley Hull to graduation — but they do return a pair of all-league honorees.

Arah Stevens and Marlee Stevens, sisters and all-league picks in 2025, have been welcomed additions to the squad. Arah, committed to Olympic College (NWAC), is rock-solid infielder and has become quite the slugger, slashing .388/.457/.627 a year ago to go along with 26 hits, including eight doubles and two home runs, and 21 RBI. Marlee, a left-handed pitcher, struck out 73 batters over 85 innings and also put together a .317 batting average and eight stolen bases.

Bailey Wilson, also a left-handed pitcher, will continue to split duties with Marlee in the circle. Last season, the standout sophomore struck out 45 batters across 71.2 innings and got things done at the plate with a .333/.451/.357 slash line. Behind the plate will be Arah Stevens, as well as a great defensive catcher in Avery Inge. Also a sophomore, Inge doesn't let much get by her, and she can throw out runners too. She adds a sizable offensive presence to the lineup having batted .288 a season ago, and her .473 on-base percentage was a team-best.

The lineup wouldn't be complete without 2024 all-league selections Cadence Skibitsky and Teagan Newsom. Skibitsky, committed to Macalester College (NCAA Division III), has held down the centerfield position since her freshman year and has one of the best arms in the area. On offense, she boasts a .288/.448/.453 slash line from 2025 and has a knack for finding crucial extra-base hits, not to mention, she stole a team-best 17 bags a season ago as well. Newsom is also a power hitter, having hit .308 a year ago, which included six doubles and two home runs. The standout junior is a versatile infielder and can hold her own at any position. Bailey Pierson and Arianna Turnbull also saw time during the team's season-opening series against Lewiston and will help fill in the gaps where needed. With Raelyn Olsen, who contributed 10 stolen bases last season, and Taylor Bannick, who had seven, also returning, there's no telling what this team can't do in 2026.

COACH'S COMMENTS:

"The team is young and hungry and has not only been playing high school ball, but travel ball as well. Even though we did have quite a few seniors last year, our key components were pretty young. The team is meshing well so far. A lot of our girls are multi-sport athletes, and that shows how driven and competitive they are." — Coach Leah Platt on her 18-player roster this season

"We're going to be right there with everyone else. All the teams in our league are either returning or growing. I think our hitting is really going to show up. We're going to have to be aggressive on the bases." — Coach Leah Platt on how her Lady Bulldogs fare with the 5A Inland Empire League

"They're both leaders and are both signed, ready to go, and want to have good senior seasons. They really help to push the other girls to be their best." — Coach Leah Platt on Arah Stevens and Cadence Skibitsky

"They've grown, matured, and competed all summer. They'll be even more of a bright spot this year." — Coach Leah Platt on starting pitchers Marlee Stevens and Bailey Wilson

Sandpoint Softball Schedule

3/13 — at Post Falls, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.

3/17 — at Lewiston, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.

3/24 — at Lakeland, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.

3/26 — at Coeur d’Alene, 2 p.m. & 4 p.m.

3/28 — vs. Thompson Falls, 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.

4/7 — at Lake City, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.

4/9 — vs. Lakeland, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.

4/11 — at Moscow, 1 p.m. & 3 p.m.

4/18 — vs. Moscow, 10 a.m. & 12 p.m.

4/20 — vs. Bonners Ferry, 3 p.m. & 5 p.m.

4/25 — vs. Lewiston, 12 p.m. & 2 p.m.

5/8 — at 5A District 1-2 Championships

5/9 — at 5A State Play-in Games

5/14-5/16 — at 5A State Championship

2025 RESULTS

3/18 —vs. Lewiston L 12-1 & L 10-2

3/21 — vs. Kuna L 8-0

3/21 — vs. Caldwell L 14-5

3/22 — vs. Century L 12-2

3/22 — vs. Boise L 19-5

3/25 — vs. Lakeland L 13-3 & W 9-8

3/27 — vs. Coeur d'Alene L 11-1 & L 7-3

4/8 — vs. Lake City L 17-5 & L 23-9

4/10 — at Lakeland L 13-12 & L 13-3

4/15 — at Bonners Ferry W 8-6 & W 13-3

4/19 — at Moscow L 16-9 & L 18-6

4/22 — vs. Moscow L 15-12 & W 15-11

4/26 — at Lewiston L 9-8 & W 14-12

5/1 — vs. Post Falls W 7-6 & L 9-4

5/6 — vs. Lewiston L 18-3

5/6 — vs. Moscow W 13-11

5/8 — at Lakeland L 14-8

    Sandpoint High senior Arah Stevens takes a swing during a home game against Post Falls last season at War Memorial Field.

    Sandpoint High senior outfielder Cadence Skibitsky readies to make a throw to home plate during a home game against Coeur d'Alene last season at War Memorial Field.