Softball goes two and out at state

Hungry Horse News

The Columbia Falls Wildkat softball team went two and out in the state tournament in Billings last week, losing to Corvallis 12-2 in the opener and Billings Central 3-1 in the consolation bracket.

The Corvallis game was closer than the final would suggest, with the Kats hanging in there with the Blue Devils in the first three innings, with Corvallis up just 2-1.

The Blue Devils blew the game open however in the fourth, scoring six runs and then another four runs in the bottom of the fifth. The Kats would add a run in the top of the fifth but it was too little, too late.

The Kats had six errors in the loss. Corvallis had four.

Amanda Milliard, Vanesha Riley and Brittany White all had hits in the loss.

Against Billings Central, the Rams would take an early 2-0 lead in the first and the Kats just couldn't get the bats going, despite a solo home run by Amber James.

Brandy Rowe had the Kats' only other hit. Central added a run in the top of fourth. Even with the tough showing at state, the program is headed in the right direction. It ended the season 12-13 overall and 6-6 in conference - not bad for a team that started six freshmen and is looking at a host of talent coming up from the eighth grade next year.

This was the first time in three years the softball team even qualified for a state tournament berth.

Corvallis 12, Columbia Falls 2

Columbia Falls 010 01 — 2 3 6

Corvallis 110 64 — 12 11 4

Billings Central 3, Columbia Falls 1

Billings Central 200 100 0 - 3 7 1

Columbia Falls 010 000 0 - 1 2 1