Wildkats head to state as No. 2 seed

Ryley Kehr makes a great catch covering first from second to get a big out against Polson.

Trista Cowan snares a pop-fly against Polson last week.

by CHRIS PETERSON
Editor | May 24, 2017 8:03 AM

Trista Cowan snares a pop-fly against Polson last week.

The Columbia Falls girls softball team will head into the state A tournament in Sidney as the No. 2 seed from the Northwest after they split their conference bill last week.

Last Tuesday, the Wildkats beat Polson 5-1, but Thursday they lost to Frenchtown in a squeaker, 3-2. Both games were at home.

Against Polson, Hannah Freeman had a solo home run, a double, and threw out a Polson player leaning too far off of first base from her catcher position. Pitcher KJ Schweikert allowed just five hits. Peyton Kehr stole home on a passed ball and Kaylene Volkman nabbed a great catch in right field to squash a Polson rally.

The Kats had a 2-0 lead against the Lady Broncs heading into the top of the sixth inning, but Schweikert got into a bases loaded jam and couldn’t get out as Broncs put three across the plate and then held on for the win.

The Kats end the regular season at 3-3 in conference play and 13-8 overall.

They beat Stevensville to end the regular season. A final score was not available.

They open the state A tournament Thursday against Havre. Win that game and they’ll face Miles City. If they get past Miles City, the Kats would likely face Belgrade, the top-ranked team in the state.

If the Kats can hit the ball as hard as they did against Polson, they have a shot.