Wehrli's two homers lead Lady 'Dogs

Whitefish pitcher Kaitlyn Wehrli had a career-defining game during the Lady Bulldog's 4-3 win over Ronan on Saturday in Butte.

The senior knocked two home runs, tallied three RBIs and tossed 15 strikeouts in an impressive effort that helped clinch a state Class A playoff berth for Whitefish.

"Kaitlyn had a heck of a game," Whitefish coach Alan Compton said. "Her 15 strikeouts were the most in a game this season."

Batting in the lead-off slot in the first inning, Wehrli smashed her first homer of the season — and of her career.

"She set the tone right away," Compton said.

Madisen Cross hit an RBI later in the inning to open up a 2-0 lead.

Defense ruled the game over the next six innings, creating a nail-biter scenario in the final frame.

In the top of the seventh with two outs, Whitefish's Baylee Tveidt hit a double, setting up a two-run blast from Wehrli — her second homer of the game.

Taking a commanding lead into the bottom of the inning, Compton said the team let up mentally.

Ronan put together a nice rally attempt with two outs on the board, scoring three runs, which came almost entirely off Bulldog fielding errors. A fly ball dropped in the outfield allowed two runs to score, and another error let a runner cross home from second base to bring the score to 4-3.

The Maidens nearly pulled off the upset on the next play when the Lady 'Dogs made a throwing error to second base, but Cross, who was in center field, made the play of the game when she retrieved the errant ball and gunned down the runner at second to end the inning.

"I think we had two outs and we relaxed, and then we made a couple of plays where we didn't mentally finish," Compton said about the late-game meltdown. "But we didn't panic either. We had let downs, but we also had teammates to back it up.

"It was a good game and Ronan is tough. They hung in there and battled and did their thing."

With the win, Whitefish sits in second place in the league behind top-rated Polson and ahead of Libby and Columbia Falls.

Whitefish plays Libby today and finishes the regular season at Ronan on Saturday. There's an outside shot the Lady 'Dogs can move into first place in the league if they win both of their final two games and Polson loses their final two.

The state playoffs are slated for May 27-29 in Billings.