STATE 4A SOFTBALL: Lakeland makes a quick exit

COEUR d'ALENE - Friday's two-and-out performance by Lakeland High wasn't so much about the actual results of the state 4A softball tournament at Ramsey Park.

It was about the journey.

Lakeland lost in two blowouts, dropping its opener to Middleton 11-0 and in the losers bracket, it fell 13-1 to Twin Falls, and finished 8-17.

One week ago, Lakeland came back from a 6-0 deficit to top Sandpoint in the Region 1 championship game.

But it wasn't enough to propel the Hawks forward into today's bracket.

"We really battled to get here," Lakeland coach Colleen Bevacqua said. "The girls did a fantastic job. We faced two tough teams, we couldn't find the gaps."

In the loss to Twin Falls, Emily Vanderhoof went 2 for 2 with the only run scored. The junior said she will transfer to Timberlake this fall, as her parents are moving to that area for employment reasons.

"We learned you've always got to play your hardest," Vanderhoof said. "That was our problem, we always hit to defenders. But my teammates, they were my family and I won't be here next year."

In the loss to Middleton, Lakeland managed one hit.

Twin Falls 13, Lakeland 1, 5 inn.

Lakeland 001 00 - 1 5 2

Twin Falls 233 23- 13 12 1

Game called in 5th inning due to 10-run rule.

Bethany Charles and MaRynda Pehrson; Ashlyn Aardema and Kylie Baumert. W - Aardema. L - Charles.

HITS: LL - Vanderhoof 2, Kastning 2, Pruitt. TF - M. Ford 2, Call, Baumert 3, Swafford, Johnson 3, Aardema, Bowman-VerWay. 2B - Johnson. 3B - M. Ford.

Middleton 11, Lakeland 0, 5 inn.

Middleton 500 42 - 11 7 0

Lakeland 000 00 - 0 1 1

Shelby Jarvis and Ellie Conley; Kari Prockish and MaRynda Pehrson. W - Jarvis. L - Prockish.

HITS: - Midd - Mendiola, Guerra 2, Creekmore, Reed, Conley, Nieme. 2B - Creekmore. 3B - Mendiola.