Kats host Whitefish in softball non-league opener Thursday
Using a tennis ball, Amber James practices her fielding. James makes up a solid core of returning players for the Kats as both catcher and a power hitter. — Chris Peterson photo
By JOE SOVA / Hungry Horse News
With seven starters returning, Columbia Falls High School has its sights set on improving on last year's softball performance.
The Wildkats went 1-2 at last year's Class A state tournament, opening with a win over Sidney but losing to Hamilton and Belgrade. They are scheduled to open the season by hosting Whitefish on Thursday (April 3) in non-conference action. The varsity and junior varsity games were originally scheduled for Whitefish, but were moved to Columbia Falls, which has less snow on the ground than its western neighbor.
Dave Kehr returns for his seventh year as Kats head coach. He's assisted by former Kat players Angela Milliard and Jennie Johnson, and Ken Milliard.
"Defensively we should be pretty solid," Kehr said Tuesday while his pitchers threw above the CFHS gym floor. "We have decent team speed. We should steal some bases, but our speed is young."
Young is the operative word for the Kats, as Kehr and his assistants have just one senior — second baseman Lindsey Nelson.
With juniors Kayla Stinger in center field and Cedar Smith in left field, is good speed and strong arms in the outfield.
Other returning starters are sophomore pitcher Drew Walter, junior catcher Amber James, junior first baseman Brittany White and junior shortstop Amanda Milliard.
The Kats should have good depth in the pitching position as Walter, Amanda Milliard, sophomore Morgan Rowe and freshman Jessica Owens can all throw strikes. All are righthanders.
At the plate, James, Stinger and Walker give the Kats power in the lineup.
"Our team goal is less strikeouts," Kehr said of the offense. "We need hits, contact at key times."
Kehr considers Libby as the front-runner in the conference. The Loggers are led by two seniors — pitcher Brooke Hageness and Laice Dedrick. Defending state champion Polson will be tough again, although the Pirates lost several key players to graduation. Havre will also have a solid team. Other teams in the league are Whitefish and Browning.
The Kats have their sights set high.
"We want to go farther at state," Kehr said.
CFHS' conference opener is Friday at Libby.