"Sparked"?
From where? Where did you "tap" the screwdriver?
You must have power to the main (large) lug on the solenoid, and power to the "S" terminal on the solenoid during cranking. No power to the "S" terminal--or NOT ENOUGH power to the "S" terminal, and the starter solenoid doesn't engage, and the starter doesn't crank.
It's hugely common for the last foot of wire to the "S" terminal (Purple, but often fades to kinda "pink") to become corroded. I fought that on my '97 K2500, and about a dozen other vehicles that I don't have photos of.
If the starter "sounded weird", I'm guessing that it's either worn-out, not shimmed properly/worn flywheel teeth, or you're expecting a direct-drive starter noise but you have a gear-reduction starter.
Photos--in focus, nicely-cropped and resized would be nice.