NIC SOFTBALL: More of a rivalry in another year, perhaps

COEUR d'ALENE - Eventually, this will be the closest rival for the North Idaho College softball team in Northwest Athletic Conference play.

But not this year.

With the NIC program still making the transition from the NJCAA to the NWAC, the Community Colleges of Spokane beat NIC 14-9 in the first game and NIC took the second 10-5 at Memorial Field on Thursday.

NIC (25-2) is not eligible for postseason play this year as the Cardinals transition players from NJCAA to less-expensive NWAC scholarships. In its first season in the NWAC, NIC plays conference opponents, but the games do not count in league standings for seeding to the NWAC tournament.

Spokane leads the East Division with a 26-3 record, 18-2 in conference play.

"I think they're a good team," Community Colleges of Spokane coach Janet Skaife said. "But we used these games as exhibition games. We've got some important conference games coming up. We just couldn't afford to get anyone hurt today."

NIC is 15-1 against NWAC teams.

"It will be a good rivalry with us so close at 30 miles apart," NIC coach Don Don Williams said. "I think it will be something I think we'll have every year."

Berkley Fisher hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth inning to put the first game out of reach for Spokane (26-3).

"I think all of our girls swung the bats really well," Skaife said. "We had some kids that haven't pitched come out and give us some quality innings."

Maddie Anthony drove in four runs and scored three times for NIC in the first game. Chloe McIntosh drove in two runs and Miranda Powless hit a two-run home run in the sixth inning for NIC, which competes in an NWAC crossover tournament Saturday and Sunday in Yakima.

"Chloe's been clutch for us all year and Maddie just elevates everyone's play on the field," Williams said. "She got some big hits for us when we needed them and always seems to do that. It was nice to see that and build on for this weekend."

NIC travels to Spokane on Tuesday.

FIRST GAME

Spokane 000 321 206 - 14 14 3

North Idaho 231 100 101 - 9 11 2

Michele Strauss, Shalaina Duford (5) and Jesse Schafer; Tori Almos, Miranda Powless (6) and Jammie Madonna. W - Duford. L - Powless.

HITS: CCS - Andreason 2, Duford 2, Miller, Zink, Fisher 2, Scholwinski 2, Schafer, Shuster 2, Hoiland. NIC - Hayl. Fields 3, Anthony 2, McIntosh 3, Haake 2, Tarin.

SECOND GAME

Spokane 003 020 0 - 5 4 2

North Idaho 420 112 x - 10 11 2

Michele Strauss and Jesse Schafer; Hayley Fields, Miranda Powless (5) and Lexi Courtney. W - Fields (3-0). L - Strauss.

HITS: CCS - Fisher 2, Miller, Andreason. NIC - Hayl. Fields, Anthony 2, Hayd. Fields, Courtney, McIntosh 3, Guardado, Parker, Haake. HR - Fisher. Powless.