Vikings sail to win

Coeur d’Alene High pitcher Jenna DeLong struck out the side in the top of the first and the Vikings quickly scored three runs in their half of the inning.

Then they did the same thing in the second inning.

The Vikings got off to a fast start as they attempt to defend their State 5A softball title, riding DeLong’s 16 strikeouts and an early offensive burst to thump Meridian 7-0 in their tournament opener Thursday at Post Falls High School.

“We wanted to come out strong to set the tone for the whole tournament,” said senior shortstop Lindsey Stark, who had two hits and drove in three runs. “We did a really good job of that in this game.”

The victory sends Coeur d’Alene (25-2) against a familiar state rival today at noon. The Vikings face Eagle (23-4), which stopped Skyline 4-0 behind Joni Cook’s three-hitter. Eagle won four state titles from 2000-2004, all with Coeur d’Alene finishing second. Cook’s older sister, Randi, played a key role in a couple of those title runs.

“They’re a great team, they have a great pitcher and great hitters,” said DeLong, who pitched a complete game as the Vikings defeated Eagle 5-1 in late March. “It should be a good game.”

In other openers, junior pitcher Randi Parks recorded 13 strikeouts as Mountain View edged Twin Falls 1-0 and Borah freshman Bree Dixon belted two homers – a 5A tournament record – to fuel a 12-2 victory over Boise. In 10 a.m. loser-out contests today, Twin Falls (23-5) faces Boise (13-16) and Meridian (17-11) meets Skyline (21-7).

Borah (16-9) takes on Mountain View (23-7) at noon.

CdA couldn’t have scripted a better start. Amanda Brouillard led off with a single and Jessica Kraft reached on an error. Both runners moved up a base on a wild throw – one of six Meridian errors. Stark lined a two-run single to left and she eventually scored on Lauren Horton’s base hit.

After DeLong struck out the side in the second, the Vikings tacked on three more runs as Stark added another single, DeLong had a sacrifice fly and Amber Coburn delivered a two-run single to right.

Meridian’s first nine batters struck out. Chelsea Luke lined a clean single to right in the fourth and the Warriors put runners on second and third before DeLong retired Stacy Sigmund on a popout.

The Warriors attempted to bunt their way on base several times, but were unsuccessful.

“We knew they were going to try small ball on us if they couldn’t get to Jenna, which is what a lot of teams are going to do when Jenna is throwing BBs,” Vikings coach Larry Bieber said.

“We have the best pitcher in the state and it builds your confidence a lot more and our bats were good, too,” Stark said.

DeLong was satisfied with her pitching, but not so pleased with her 0 for 3 at the plate.

“Not me, but the rest of the team did,” DeLong said of the team’s hitting. “I’m glad that I could pitch and they could hit. They pick me up when I’m down.”

Brouillard, Kraft and Stark each scored two runs.

“The way we started the game is the secret to our success,” Bieber said. “Amanda got on right away with a nice hit and we just attacked from the get-go. It’s just like Brianna Robson was last season – when she got on at the start of the game we were golden.”