Rowe, Owens anchor softball team

The core of any successful softball team is simple: pitching and catching.

This year the Columbia Falls girls team will rely on that duo more than ever. If the girls can generate a few runs, they look to be in good shape this season, said Head Coach Dave Kehr.

The Kats are anchored by senior pitcher Morgan Rowe and junior Jessica Owens.

Last year the Kats went 19-7 behind Rowe's pitching. Owens and catcher Erica Nelson have also honed their skills.

"Jessica and Erica Nelson worked their tails off in the off season," said Kehr.

He said the Kats will have to generate runs. They're a young and speedy squad, but they'll have to work on their hitting.

"We'll do a lot more hitting in practice," he said.

Last year, they relied heavily on slugger Amber James to generate runs. James graduated last year.

Look for this team to steal bases and bunt more.

"Once they're on base they'll be tough outs," Kehr said.

The Kats will rely on returning players Michonne Cronquist, Cassidee Skiles, Tessa Cowan, Renae Nelson, Niki Birky, Shaun Rowe and Jordan Lefebvre.

Last season the Kats were second in the conference and went 1-2 at state. This year's goals are simple: Make it back to the state tournament and build on last year's success.

Other schools have seen numbers wane. Whitefish, for example, reportedly has just 12 players and no junior varsity squad. Other teams in class A are also having a tough time fielding two teams, Kehr noted.

Kehr is assisted this year by Ken and Angela Milliard, Tod Trueblood and Tia Yaeger. Yaeger was a senior outfielder for the Kats last year.

The conference will see a realignment this year, with Browning and Havre moving to the Central A conference and Ronan moving back to Western A.

The Kats open their varsity season April 8 against Browning, but will come close to home that same week when they face Whitefish April 10 away at 2 p.m.