Kats open season 0-3
The Columbia Falls softball team had a tough road opener Saturday. The Wildkats lost to Belgrade 13-0 and then to Butte Central 9-6 in Polson.
Belgrade’s Shania Neubauer and Erin Elgas combined to throw a no-hitter against the Kats in the opener. Belgrade racked up all 13 runs in the first three innings, including eight in the second. KJ Schweikert took the loss for the Kats on the mound.
A box score was not available for the Butte Central game.
On Tuesday, the Kats lost their first conference game to Polson on the road, 7-4. Polson shot out to a 4-1 lead in the first inning and the Kats couldn’t close the gap.
Coach Dave Kehr noted the Belgrade loss was a bit of nerves — the Kats have an entirely new infield lineup this season.
They did play better against Butte, but made a few errors that hurt them, Kehr noted.
They’ve also only practiced outside three times because of snow. This is a talented squad, he noted. They’ll bounce back.
Belgrade 13, Columbia Falls 0
Belgrade 184 0 - 13 11 0
Columbia Falls 000 0 - 0 0 0
Shania Neubauer, Erin Elgas (4) and Katie Hoppe, Haylee Curry (4). KJ Schweikert and n/a. W - Neubauer (1-0). L - Schweikert.
BELGRADE (1-0) - Curry 2-4 (3B), Khiala Rollins 1-3 (2B), Samantha Foley 1-2, Ty Atwood 2-2 (2B, HR), Kalista Pachl 2-3 (2B), Lanie Morgan 1-3, Katie Hoppe 2-2, Olivia Cook 0-2, Neubauer 0-1, Elgas 0-1.
COLUMBIA FALLS (0-1) - KJ Schweikert 0-2, Hannah Freeman 0-2, Sydney Hovde 0-1, Taylar Putnam 0-2, Kaylee Ashe 0-2, Ryley Kehr 0-1, Trista Cowan 0-1, Kaylene Volkman 0-2, Torie Briscoe 0-1, Kennedy Payne 0-1.
Polson 7, Columbia Falls 4
C. Falls 100 201 0 – 4 7 0
Polson 410 101 X – 7 12 1
K.J. Schweikert and Hannah Freeman. Haley Fyant, Camas Renault (5), Fyant (7) and Ashley Benson. W – Fyant. L – Schweikert.
Columbia Falls (0-3, 0-1) – Schweikert 1-4, Freeman 0-4, Sydney Hovde 2-3, Peyton Kehr 1-3, Taylor Putman 1-4, Trista Cowan 1-3, Kaylee Ashe 1-3, Ryley Kehr 0-3, Kaylene Volkman 0-2.
Polson (2-2, 1-0) – Kaelyn Smith 2-4, Laurel Bitterman 4-4, Hannah Fryberger 1-3, Fyant 1-3, Benson 1-4, Breyland McColl 1-2, Renault 0-1, Quinn Motichka 1-3, Paige Noyes 1-2, Rhiley Big Beaver 0-1, Natasha Gravelle 0-2.
2B – Schweikert, Cowan; Bitterman, Motichka. HR – Hovde 2. RBIs – Cowan, Ashe, Hovde; Bitterman, Fyant 2, Benson, McColl, Motichka.