Wildcats Hand Bulldogs First League Loss
The Kellogg Wildcats softball team defeated visiting Grangeville 8-5 on April 23 at Kellogg Middle School, handing the Bulldogs their first loss in Central Idaho League play this season.
Sarah Gloyn delivered a two-run single in the third inning to propel the Wildcats, while pitcher Joci Lee dominated from the mound with 12 strikeouts. Grangeville managed 10 hits in the contest but could not overcome Kellogg’s offensive production.
Kamryn McDonald doubled for the Wildcats, while Grangeville’s MacGregor also had an extra-base hit. The Bulldogs’ Weiz and Long each notched triples in the losing effort. Autumn Long pitched for Grangeville, while Lee went the distance for Kellogg behind the plate work of McDonald.
Kellogg Completes Sweep the Next Day
The Wildcats followed up with a doubleheader sweep of Grangeville on April 24, winning 17-2 in the opener and 10-6 in the second game. The victories moved Kellogg ahead of Grangeville into second place in the Central Idaho League standings.
Joci Lee and Bella Schillereff each collected four hits on the day. Lee struck out 15 batters in the nightcap, continuing her dominant pitching performance from the previous day. Sarah Gloyn drove in three runs in the first game, while the Wildcats’ offense exploded for 17 runs on 11 hits.
The opening game was called after five innings due to the 10-run mercy rule. Kellogg scored five runs in the second inning and six more in the third to put the contest out of reach early. Lee and McDonald combined for four hits in the shortened game, while Schillereff added two hits including a triple.
Grangeville showed more fight in the second game despite the loss. Caryss Barger went 3-for-4 with a solo home run and three RBIs for the Bulldogs. The Wildcats still prevailed behind strong pitching from Lee and contributions throughout the lineup. Munoz and Schillereff each had two hits for Kellogg in the nightcap.
The Wildcats were scheduled to wrap up their regular season with a road game at Timberlake on Thursday.
Wallace Boys Take Second at District Track Meet
The Wallace boys track and field team finished second at the 2A/1A District 1 Championship meet held April 21 at Kootenai High in Harrison Flats. Kootenai Classical Academy of Post Falls claimed the team title with 164 points, while the Miners tallied 134 points for the runner-up spot.
Simon Sodbat led Wallace with individual victories in both the 100-meter dash and 200-meter dash. Sodbat won the 100 in 11.86 seconds and took the 200 in 24.87 seconds. He also ran a leg on the Miners’ victorious 4×100 relay team.
Reece Williams captured the shot put competition with a throw of 41 feet, 2 inches. Williams also placed third in the 200-meter dash and contributed to the winning 4×400 relay squad. The Miners’ 4×400 team of Bronson Basham, Sodbat, Williams, and Landon Hone finished in 3 minutes, 59.06 seconds.
Basham won the 3,200-meter run in 12:41.17, while Hone placed third in the 800. Gus Scott took second in the shot put with a distance of 38-5. Ashton Holbert won the triple jump with a leap of 33 feet, 5¾ inches, and Everett Heidt tied for second in the high jump at 4-10.
Mullan finished fourth in the team standings with 37 points. Cael Sala placed second in the 400-meter dash for the Lions, while Damian Bosson took second in the discus and third in the long jump.
Wallace Girls Place Fourth
The Wallace girls track team finished fourth overall with 58 points. Kootenai Classical won the girls team title with 160 points, followed by Kootenai with 154.33 points and Potlatch with 81.66.
Mullan’s girls team placed fifth with 49 points in the district championship meet.
What Comes Next
The Kellogg softball team’s regular season concluded with the Timberlake game. District tournament play will begin soon for Central Idaho League teams as the postseason gets underway.
Wallace and Mullan track athletes who qualified at the district meet will advance to the state championship competition. State meet details and qualifying standards will determine which Miners and Lions compete at the next level.
Both Shoshone County schools will look to build on their district performances as spring sports seasons move into the final weeks of competition.