4A DISTRICT 1 SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP: Timberlake wins seventh straight district title, advances to state play-in game
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 2 days AGO
JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Timberlake players celebrate with the Intermountain League and 4A District 1 championship trophies after beating Bonners Ferry to capture the district title Monday in Spirit Lake.
JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Timberlake junior Hallah Lee slides home safely against Bonners Ferry as the Tigers won the 4A District 1 championship Monday in Spirit Lake.
SPIRIT LAKE — The road to state is one exit longer for the Timberlake Tigers this year.
But at least the Tigers know the way.
Sophomore Prestyn Gardner went 2 for 3 and drove in three runs as the top-seeded Timberlake beat the second-seeded Bonners Ferry Badgers 15-2 to win the 4A District 1 championship on Monday.
Since the two-team district only receives a half-berth to state this year, Timberlake (11-9) has to win a play-in game to advance to state next week at Filer. The Tigers will play the third-place finisher from District 3 on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Moscow School District Community Playfields.
“Proud of the effort of our kids,” first-year Timberlake head coach Jenny Whaley said. “It seems like it’s starting to come together, but we just need to stay focused and gear up for a game on Saturday.”
Sophomore Shae Jones struck out seven and scattered two hits for Timberlake, which won its seventh straight district title. The Tigers have qualified for the last 25 state tournaments.
Gardner had an RBI single and a two-run single in Timberlake’s nine-run fourth inning. Emilia Landon added a two-run single, and Nova Gonzales singled home a run.
Bonners Ferry (2-13) took the lead with a pair of unearned runs in the first.
Since Timberlake won all three Intermountain League meetings from Bonners Ferry (all by forfeit, with the Badgers citing a shortage of players), the Tigers needed only to win the opener of the best-of-3 series for the district title to advance.
Bonners Ferry 200 00 — 2 2 6
Timberlake 150 9x — 15 7 4
Game called in 5th inning due to 10-run rule.
R. Short and N/A; Shae Jones and Sophia Harrington.
HITS: BF — Short, Dickson. TL — Gonzales, Landon 2, Gardner 2, Statkus, Linder.
JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Timberlake junior Hallah Lee slides home safely against Bonners Ferry as the Tigers won the 4A District 1 championship Monday in Spirit Lake.