Do-or-die for softball team as season ends

The Columbia Falls softball team went .500 at the Butte Tournament last weekend. Friday the Wildkats clobbered Stevensville 21-4 but lost to Belgrade 4-3 in nine innings. Saturday the Kats beat Lewistown 7-4, but lost to Livingston 5-4.

Sophomore Shaun Rowe had a great weekend, batting .538 in the four games with a home run against Livingston, two doubles against Lewistown and a double against Stevensville.

"It was a good tournament," coach Dave Kehr said. "The girls played well."

Pitcher Morgan Rowe had a great game against Belgrade, even though the Kats lost in nine innings.

"She pitched well and kept us in it," Kehr said.

The Kats wrap up the regular season with conference games against Polson Thursday away and Ronan Friday at home.

The Kats are now 9-9 on the season, but just 2-4 in conference play. The Kats need a season-ending sweep to make the state playoffs and some help from Libby. The Loggers are 3-3 in conference play and finish their season against Whitefish Thursday and Polson Friday.

If Libby wins either one of those games, they'd knock the Kats out of the playoffs. If the two teams tie, Libby has the edge because they beat Columbia Falls by more runs than the Kats beat them earlier this year. If the Kats win their final two games and Libby loses their final two games, the Kats would advance to the state tournament.

The top three teams in the conference advance.

"The (girls' aren't out of it yet," Kehr said. "Our success depends on us coming out ready to play … We need to hit the ball and make them make plays. You never know what's going to happen."