5A REGION 1 SOFTBALL: Lakeland advances to state play-in game
JASON DUCHOW PHOTOGRAPHY Lakeland junior Raygen Dutton (12) celebrates her second home run of the game, a solo shot in the third inning against Sandpoint in the second-place game of the 5A Region 1 softball tournament in Rathdrum.
RATHDRUM — Sophomore Raygen Dutton went 3 for 4 with two homers and five runs batted in, and the Lakeland Hawks earned a spot in a state 5A play-in game with a 14-8 victory over the visiting Sandpoint Bulldogs in the second-place game of the 5A Region 1 tournament on Thursday.
Lakeland (10-15) will play Skyview (12-14) of Nampa on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Moscow School District Community Playfields for a berth to state May 15-17 at Skyview High.
Sandpoint finished 7-20.
Dutton hit a grand slam to highlight a five-run first inning for Lakeland.
In the third inning, Dutton hit a solo homer, and Abby Helmholz added a two-run triple.
Reagan Masters struck out nine in 4.2 innings for Lakeland.
Bailey Hindle hit a three-run homer for Sandpoint in the fifth.
Sandpoint 004 031 0 — 8 9 5
Lakeland 513 041 — 14 9 3
B. Wilson, Marlee Stevens (2) and Arah Stevens; Reagan Masters, Abby Helmholz (5) and Delilah Zimmerman.
HITS: Spt — No. 19, M. Stevens, A. Stevens. Lancaster 2, Wilson 2, Hindle 2. LL — Blakemore 2, Corbey, Zimmerman, Ra. Dutton 3, Dewey, Helmholz. 2B — Hindle, Blakemore 2. 3B — Helmholz. HR — Hindle, Ra. Dutton 2.