Softball beats Libby, but comes up just short against Broncs

A furious seventh-inning rally by the Columbia Falls softball team came up just short on Friday as the Wildkats dropped a tight 9-8 decision to Class A superpower Frenchtown in non-conference action.

Trailing 9-1 heading into the final frame, Columbia Falls erupted for seven runs on six hits to put the pressure on the Broncs, but ultimately ran out of steam in the comeback bid. With the loss, the Wildkats fall to 3-5 on the season.

Addy Bowler and Annika Reid led the way offensively for Columbia Falls. Bowler went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while Reid also tallied two hits, including a double, and drove in a run. Onnikka Lawrence chipped in with a double and two RBIs, and Kylie Gjesdal-Davis added a run-scoring double as part of her 1-for-4 day at the plate.

Frenchtown jumped on Columbia Falls early, scoring three runs in the first inning and adding one in the second and third to build a 4-0 lead. After a scoreless stretch, the Wildkats got on the board with a run in the sixth, but the Broncs responded with four more in the bottom half to extend their lead to 9-1.

Columbia Falls made things interesting in the top of the seventh. The Wildkats batted around, stringing together timely hits and capitalizing on Frenchtown miscues to pull within a run. 

Ella Branstetter got the start in the circle for Columbia Falls, tossing four 2/3 innings while allowing five hits, five runs (four earned), and striking out one. Hailey Greene pitched the final two innings, surrendering four earned runs on six hits.

The Kats made a big fourth inning count and held on late to edge Libby 5-4 at home Thursday afternoon, earning its second straight victory and improving to 3-4 on the season.

A four-run fourth inning proved decisive for the Wildkats, who capitalized on timely hitting and Libby’s defensive miscues to build a 5-2 lead. Columbia Falls held off a seventh-inning rally by the Loggers to secure the narrow win.

Tayler Lingle had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 to lead the Wildkat offense. Addy Bowler provided a spark with a triple and two RBIs, while Bella Mann and Kylie Gjesdal-Davis each added RBIs in the middle innings.

In the circle, Ella Branstetter delivered a strong outing, tossing six innings while allowing 10 hits and striking out six. She walked just one batter .

The Wildkats totaled seven hits and committed just one error defensively, showing discipline in the field and maintaining their lead as the Loggers chipped away.

Columbia Falls trailed 1-0 early before tying the game in the third. The fourth inning surge gave the Wildkats breathing room, and despite two late Libby runs in the top of the seventh, Columbia Falls was able to hang on.

The Wildkats found offensive rhythm Tuesday, April 15 afternoon, rolling to an 18-1 victory over rival Whitefish in a dominant showing on the road.

Columbia Falls finished with 12 hits and no errors. Hailey Greene went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a double, while Chevelle Bedford also had a strong outing at the plate, collecting two hits and three RBIs.

Onnikka Lawrence was perfect at the plate, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a triple, and Katie Bulawsky added two more hits and three RBIs of her own. Tayler Lingle notched a triple, and Kylie Gjesdal-Davis, Annika Reed, and Addy Bowler all recorded RBIs in the rout.

Bulawsky started in the circle for the Wildkats, tossing one scoreless inning and allowing just one hit while striking out two. Greene followed with two innings of work, striking out four while surrendering one earned run and no hits.