Softball team looks to hang with competition

Whitefish’s softball team went 0-3 in their opening week, but improvement was evident all over the diamond.

Losses at home came to Shelby and Columbia Falls, but the games were close and the Dogs were putting the bat to the ball. Simply hanging with quality teams like the Wildkats is a good step in the right direction, second-year coach Carrie Lamb said.

“Our goal this year is to close the gaps with these teams, because they normally stomp us,” Lamb said.

“To take C-Falls to seven innings was a goal of ours.”

All-conference hitter Malia Morris led the Dogs against Columbia Falls, going 2-for-4 at the plate, including a huge lead-off triple to set the tone. She scored Whitefish’s only run in the third inning of the 12-1 non-conference loss.

Andrea Lamaroux was solid on the mound, battling through cold and slick conditions as intermittent rain showers doused the field.

Whitefish’s numbers this season are up with about 17 girls trying out.

“We should have the numbers to field a JV team this year,” Lamb said.

Lamaroux is the lone returning senior, while senior Shannon Craft joined the team for the first time. Lamb said Craft is a great addition to the lineup with her natural athletic abilities.

Whitefish’s best strength in the early-going will be team chemistry.

“Everybody wants to see us get better and do their best,” Lamb said. “They all get along and practices have been a lot of fun.”

“The goal this season is not to just win games but to play together and play hard, and hopefully that turns into wins.”

Whitefish next plays April 11 at Columbia Falls.

Col. Falls 104 301 3 – 12 12 0

Whitefish 001 000 0 – 1 5 4

Ashley Trueblood and Courtney Murray. Andrea Lamaroux and Madison Davis. W - Trueblood (1-0). L - Lamaroux.

COLUMBIA FALLS – Tiffany Hummer 2-5, Carly Brown 3-4, Ashley Trueblood 0-3, Kathrin Jetty 1-4, Ciarra Holm 1-4, Amanda Morrison 0-3, Catie King 3-4, Lauren Fields 2-4, Courtney Murray 0-4.

WHITEFISH – Malia Morris 2-4, Andrea Lamaroux 1-3, Shannon Craft 1-3, Margo Myers 0-3, Micah McFeely 0-3, Madison Davis 0-2, Abby Taylor 0-2, Halle Reading 0-3, Georgia Donaldson 1-3.

2B - King 2, Fields. 3B - Morris. RBIs - King 2, Jetty, Holm, Brown, Trueblood, Murray, Fields, Craft.