With only four games under its belt for the spring, what the Wood River High School softball team desperately needed was to get some swings, play some defense and see some live action during the Kimberly Invitational last weekend.
That's what happened at the eight-team meet Friday and Saturday. Wood River (4-4, 1-1 league) won three of four games and cranked up its bats in the final three victories—beating Teton of Driggs 23-8, Homedale 13-7 and Shelley 13-9.
Coach Dale Martin said, "The whole team hit well with almost every player getting at least one hit. Our bats came alive in the last three games. All told, we scored 52 runs on 54 hits and had only six errors for the tournament."
Hailey pitchers have had a tendency to issue free passes, and 24 walks plus six hit batsmen didn't help at Kimberly. Martin said, "Walks continue to hurt us. Our pitching continues to be a work in progress, but it is improving each game."
Leading Wolverine hitters were Josie Dawson (9-for-15, 2 doubles, triple, 9 RBI), K.T. Martinez (9-for-16, double, triple, grand slam HR, 7 RBI), Alex Lindbloom (8-for-14, 2 doubles, 2 triples, 7 RBI) and Taylor Gove (5-for-11, 5 RBI).
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After being run-ruled by Highland of Pocatello 13-3 Friday, Wood River later bounced back with a 17-hit, 23-8 win over Teton. Pitcher Ali Levy (3 hits) threw all five frames supported by four hits apiece by Martinez (grand slam, 6 RBI) and catcher Lindbloom. Dawson (2 hits, 3 RBI) and Taylor Gove (double, 2 RBI) chipped in on offense.
Wood River's six-run second inning explosion Saturday morning broke open a 3-3 deadlock and sent Martin's club to its 13-hit, 13-7 win over Homedale. Sharing circle duties were starter Madison Gove and winning pitcher Dawson (4 innings, 2 hits, 1 run).
Top hitters were Haylee Thompson (2 hits, 3 RBI), Lindbloom (2 hits, 3 RBI) and Dawson (2 doubles, 2 runs, 2 RBI).
Wood River committed only three errors in the two Saturday games. Such tight defense, and Hailey's 16-hit artillery, gave the Wolverines a 3-1 tournament record with Saturday's 13-9 victory over Shelley. Levy (3-2) went the seven-inning distance and yielded seven hits.
Leaders at the dish were Levy (3 hits, double, 4 RBI), Dawson (3 hits, triple), Lindbloom (2 hits, triple) and Taylor Gove (2 hits, 3 RBI).
Wood River opened its home campaign Tuesday with a Great Basin Conference doubleheader against winless Minico. The Hailey girls travel to Kuna Saturday, April 17 for a twinbill starting at noon.
