T-Wolves heating up in the cold

COEUR d'ALENE - For only playing two games, the Lake City Timberwolves seem to be in midseason form after outscoring their first two opponents 17-0.

Lake City sophomore Casey Stangel struck out 16 batters as the Timberwolves defeated the Coeur d'Alene Vikings 7-0 in the 5A Inland Empire League softball opener for both schools Tuesday at Coeur d'Alene High's Larry Schwenke Field.

"We've got a really focused group coming into the season," Lake City coach Laura Tolzmann said. "It was a good start to the league for us. Our girls played hard and have been working hard on their offense this year."

After playing to a scoreless tie through two innings, Lake City freshman Vanessa Shippy singled with two outs in the top of the third to open the scoring. Stangel hit a sacrifice fly to score Becky Short to give Lake City (2-0) a 3-0 lead.

"It was fun to see the young kids step up today," Tolzmann said. "Both Vanessa and Dakota (Wilson) wanted to get the job done today. Our offense 1 through 9 did a great job today."

Wilson singled with two out in the sixth inning to give Lake City a 5-0 lead and Stangel and Katie Rowe drove in runs with two outs in the seventh to round out the scoring.

"As a team, we're just getting started," Tolzmann said. "To play like we did today, it's going to be a fun ride this season. They are a hard working and a real focused group this year."

Stangel, who struck out eight in five innings on Thursday in a 10-0 victory over Gonzaga Prep, held the Vikings to a pair of hits on Tuesday.

"I think our team is looking good this year," Stangel said. "I wouldn't pick another defense to have behind me. I'm real thankful to have them. We all woke up ready to play today. It was a real good team effort."

Jessica Ball doubled in the second inning and Jessica Lupinacci singled in the seventh, but the Vikings (3-1) were unable to score behind starting pitcher Lindsie Scholwinski, who struck out seven in the loss.

“We didn’t compete the way we had intended on today,” Coeur d’Alene coach Larry Bieber said. “That third inning was a big momentum breaker for us. We’re disappointed in the outcome, but we know the next time we play, we’ll be able to compete at another level. Lindsie was throwing great today, but it was tough weather to pitch in.”

On Thursday, Coeur d’Alene hosts Sandpoint in a nonleague doubleheader, and Lake City hosts Lakeland.

Lake City 003 101 2 — 7 8 0

Coeur d’Alene 000 000 0 — 0 2 0

Casey Stangel and Mariah Linahan; Lindsie Scholwinski and Teigan Lockwood. W — Stangel (2-0). L — Scholwinski (2-1).

HITS: LC — Leddy, Shippy, Kritz, Linahan, Rowe 2, Wilson, Stangel. Cd’A — Ball, Lupinacci. 2B — Rowe, Ball.