'Kats go 1-2 at state SB

Coach Dave Kehr's biggest concern going into the Class A State Softball Tournament last week in Polson was realized as Columbia Falls was ousted from the double-elimination competition in three games. That concern was inconsistent hitting.

The Wildkats, the No. 2 seed from the Western A Conference, opened with a 4-2 victory over Livingston on Thursday. In the second round two hours later, C-Falls was unable to capitalize on golden scoring opportunities and lost to Billings Central, the second seed from the East, 7-5.

In a battle to stay alive Friday, the Wildkats lost to Western A rival Libby, the defending state champion, 8-5 in nine innings and C-Falls was eliminated — finishing with a solid 19-6 record.

Frenchtown peaked at the right time, going through the tourney unbeaten to capture the Broncs' first state title since 2005 and their sixth crown overall. Frenchtown, the third seed from the Central, beat Butte Central 6-2 in the championship game Saturday.

C-FALLS HAD key hits in the win over Livingston. A two-run triple by senior Tia Yaeger tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Amber James, the senior team leader in home runs, blasted a solo shot to lead off the fifth for a 3-2 Wildkat lead. Two batters later, freshman Shaun Rowe cracked a solo homer for an insurance run.

Junior Morgan Rowe shut out Livingston over the last three innings. She walked five and struck out two.

"Defensively we played pretty solid," Kehr said.

Yaeger was 2-for-3.

Hits when they were needed did not come in the two-run loss to Billings Central. C-Falls stranded runners on second and third in each of the first three innings.

Kayla Stinger and Shaun Rowe drove in runs with singles in the last of the seventh, but the Wildkats could score no more.

"We couldn't score enough runs. That's the way it went the whole weekend," Kehr said.

James, Stinger and Cassidee Skiles were all 2-for-4. Niki Birky had a hit and drove in two runs.

The Wildkats scored twice in the bottom of the seventh against Libby to force extra innings. In the ninth, an errant C-Falls throw went into right field on an attempted double play and three Lady Loggers scored.

Taylor Armstrong pitched the win, and Morgan Rowe took the loss.

Amanda Milliard was 3-for-5 and had two RBIs. Morgan Rowe, Birky and Stinger each had two hits. Erika Nelson was 1-for-1.

"It was a great season anytime you get 19 wins," Kehr said. "We played solid all year long. It's a shame the way it ended. We had a lot of fun. Our seniors did a great job for us all four years."

Those seniors are James, Yaeger, Stinger, Milliard and Cedar Smith.

James, Yaeger, Stinger and Milliard were elected to play in the first-ever Treasure State Classic softball tournament June 13-14 in Butte. There are six teams made up of players from all four classes in Montana.

Livingston 000 200 0 - 2 9 1

Columbia Falls 000 022 x - 4 6 3

WP - Morgan Rowe. LP - Jordan Asay.

Livingston — Katie Polsak 2-4, Jo Chapel 0-3, Stephanie Davaz 0-2, Mackenzie Scofield 0-4, Jorgan Asay 1-3, Kami Willson 0-3, Alex Henderson 0-2, Inga Nead 0-2, Davie Pederson 1-2.

Columbia Falls — Tia Yaeger 2-3, Amanda Milliard 0-2, Amber James 1-3, Kayla Stinger 0-3, Shaun Rowe 1-3, Cassidee Skiles 1-3, Renae Nelson 1-3, M. Rowe 0-3, Niki Birky 0-3.

Billings Central 211 120 0 - 7 9 3

Columbia Falls 110 001 2 - 5 7 2

Jenny Harrington and Brynn Burke; M. Rowe, Jessica Owens (5) and James. WP - Harrington. LP - Rowe.

Billings Central — Burke 3-3, Shae Chilton 0-3, Megan Smith 2-4, Michela Jacobson 0-2, Harrington 0-3, Chere Anderson 2-3, Katelyn Lynch 0-4, Guin Ayers 1-3, Amanda Tyran 1-3.

Columbia Falls — Yaeger 0-4, Milliard 0-3, James 1-4, Stinger 2-4, S. Rowe 1-3, Skiles 1-4, Nelson 1-3, M. Rowe 0-3, Birky 1-2.

Libby 001 004 003 - 8 14 3

Columbia Falls 001 020 200 - 5 8 1

Taylor Armstrong and Lexi Hageness; Morgan Rowe and Amber James. WP - Armstrong. LP - Rowe.

Libby — Nicky Lapka 2-4, Amber Grubham 2-5, Alysha Martin 1-4, Candace Hendrickson 0-5, Hageness 2-5, Jorgan Refsland 1-5, Emily Monroe 1-4, Jamie Gilden 2-4, LaRona Luscher 3-4.

Columbia Falls - Yaeger 1-4, Milliard 2-4, James 1-4, Stinger 1-5, S. Rowe 0-4, Skiles 0-4, Nelson 0-4, M. Rowe 1-3, Erika Nelson 1-1, Birky 1-4.