Kats split the bill last week

One big win, one tough loss. That’s how the Columbia Falls girls softball team’s fortunes went last week.

On April 16 at home, the Wildkats had nine hits to drop the Libby Lady Loggers, 7-3. But the next day at home, the Kats just couldn’t get the hits with runners in scoring position, and they lost to Frenchtown, 6-1.

Against the Loggers, the Kats scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth to break a 2-2 tie. Peyton Kehr had a double that drove in Katie Price, and then Ashley Trueblood had double RBI with two runners on base to give the Kats a 5-2 lead.

The Kats added two more in the bottom of the sixth. Libby’s Staci Regh hit a homer to make it 7-3 heading into the seventh. The Loggers had runners on base with two out, but shortstop Lottie Ellis snared a sharply hit ball for the force out to end the game and secure the win.

Against Frenchtown, the Kats found themselves down 3-0 at the top of the third, but they rallied to score a run to make it 3-1 after Kaitlyn Hoerner hit a double to drive in a run.

But Frenchtown is a relentless team, and they make you pay for every mistake. Lady Bronc pitcher Morgan Ray struck out 11 batters and went 2 for 3 from the plate, as the Broncs scored a run in the top of the fifth, sixth and seventh.

The Kats had their chances. In the bottom of the fifth, they had runners on the corners with two out but couldn’t get a hit.

The Kats also had three errors in the contest. They’re now 3-1 in conference play and 5-2 overall. They will compete in the Frenchtown Tourney on Friday.

Coach Dave Kehr likes the way the team is playing right now.

If they had cleaned up a few mistakes against the Broncs, they would have been right in the mix. Even so, the Kats gave the Broncs one of their toughest games of the season.

Libby 001 011 0 – 3 9 2

Columbia Falls 200 032 - – 7 9 4

Hannah England and Devon Gallagher; Ashley Trueblood and Samantha Collins. W — Trueblood (5-1). L — England (4-1).

LIBBY – Madisen Monigold 1-4, Mahalah Wedel 2-4, Abby Ennenga 0-4, Gallagher 1-3, Rachel Rebo 1-3, Staci Regh 1-4, Auria Benefield 1-2, Dayln Germany 1-3, England 1-3.

COLUMBIA FALLS – Carlee Brown 1-1, Lottie Ellis 0-2, Peyton Kehr 1-4, Trueblood 2-3, Alysha Cantu 0-3, Madi Fetters 0-3, Collins 1-3, Katie Price 2-3, Morgan Campbell-Queen 0-1, Breanna Friar 1-2, Kaitlyn Hoerner 1-3.

Frenchtown 201 011 1 – 6 10 1

C. Falls 001 000 0 – 1 3 3

Morgan Ray and Brooke Yarnall. Ashley Trueblood and Samantha Collins. W – Ray. L – Trueblood.

FRENCHTOWN – Ray 2-3, Emma Pyron 1-4, Yarnall 3-4, Krista Hebnes 2-4, Haley Cyr 0-3, Shelby Shrouds 2-3, Laci Willet 0-3, Alli Moe 0-3, Allison Hochhalter 0-3.

COLUMBIA FALLS – Carlee Brown 1-3, Katie Price 0-2, Trueblood 0-3, Breanna Friar 0-3, Alysha Cantu 0-3, Madi Fetters 0-3, Lottie Ellis 1-3, Collins 0-1. Kaitlyn Hoerner 1-3.

2B – Hebnes 2, Yarnall. 3B – Pyron. RBIs – Pyron, Yarnall 3, Shrouds, Hoerner.