Softball team has a host of returning talent, will practice over break

With a host of returning players and a pitcher whose been working on her stuff all winter, the Columbia Falls softball team should be right in the mix again this year.

The Wildkats will look to improve on a fourth-place finish at the state A tournament last year when they went 20-7 overall. Coach Dave Kehr likes his squad.

“We’ll be pretty solid all around,” he said.

Kehr noted he lost most of last year’s infield to graduation. But senior pitcher KJ Schweikert has been working with catcher Hannah Freeman all winter long and the two make a good pair.

He’s also got speed on the bases in Kaylee Ashe and his daughter Ryley Kehr. There’s also some big bats in the lineup. His daughter Peyton Kehr hit about nine homers last year and senior Sydney Hovde had about 16, he said.

Junior Trista Cowan should also provide power at the plate.

The big concern so far this year has been field time, or the lack thereof. While most schools have been practicing outside, the Wildkats fields are still under snow, or too wet to play on. The first week of practice has been in the gym, though they hope to get out this week.

It’s tough to practice shagging fly balls in a gym, Kehr noted.

The Kats will get tested early and often. They plan on practicing through spring break to get ready for their season opener when they face Belgrade and Butte Central in a doubleheader at Polson April 1. Belgrade dropped the Kats last year in the state tourney and Central was the runner-up.

In the conference, Polson and Frenchtown should be tough again this year. Polson returns all its pitching from last year, Kehr noted.

Their first home game isn’t until April 15 when they face Corvallis.