Sapa saves the day in key win over Lions

The Columbia Falls baseball team got a key conference victory against Lincoln County last week, dropping the Lions in a squeaker, 6-5 on the road.

The Wildcats were up 6-3 after five innings, but the Lions put up two runs in the bottom of the fifth. But relief pitcher Reggie Sapa pitched a perfect inning and two thirds, striking out four of the last five batters, including the side in the seventh, with no walks for the save.

“He was calm under pressure and did what he needed to do,” coach Chad Green said.

Jett Pitts got the start on mound. He struck out six, gave up four hits and two runs in a good start.

Nico Young came in middle relief, with two hits and three runs, all of them earned, in two and a third innings of work. He struck out two, in an effort that had some differing opinions between coach and the umpire on the strike zone.

“I thought (Young) was hitting his spots,” Green said.

Sapa also helped the team’s cause with an RBI single in the top of the third. Jory Hill continues to swing the bat well. He had a single to center field to drive in two runs in the top of the fifth to put the Cats up 6-2.

Earlier in the week the Cats blew out hapless Browning, 18-0.

On Monday the Cats blanked Noxon/Thompson Falls, 15-0.

The big game this week is against Whitefish on the road Friday at Smith Fields. Game time is 5 p.m.