Cats blank Bulldogs for conference crown

This time, they left no doubt.

The Columbia Falls baseball team blanked Whitefish on the road Friday 12-0 to secure the North conference title, the team’s second in a row.

On Saturday they beat Troy, 14-0 and on Monday they rallied to beat Polson 9-4 on the road after being down 3-1 after three innings.

The Wildcats were firing on all cylinders against the rival Bulldogs on a perfect night for baseball at Smith Fields.

Sophomore Jett Pitts threw another gem, going five innings, giving up just two hits while striking out six with no walks on 56 pitches. The game was called after five due to the 10-run rule.

Brady Matson had another strong game at the plate, with two hits and three RBIs. Jaxson Cadwell also had a standout game, with a double in the fourth to drive in a run and a single in the third, batting at the bottom of the lineup.

Nico Young had two hits and an RBI and Reggie Sapa had two RBIs as well some stellar defense at shortstop.

Earlier this season the Cats built a big lead against the Bulldogs at home only to see Whitefish rally. The Cats ended up holding onto a one-run victory after Sapa came in and shut down the Bulldogs in relief. There was none of that this go-round.

“To wrap up the conference and shut them out on their home field was nice,” coach Chad Green said. 

Green took a bath at the end of the game when the team gave him the water cooler treatment for winning the conference title. He said he saw it just out of the corner of his eye, but he still got soaked.

“It was a nice warm night,” he said. “I’m thankful for that.”

The regular season wraps up this week with the Sapa Johnsrud tournament. The Wildcats host Frenchtown Saturday at 4 p.m. and Polson at 6 p.m. Friday.

The Frenchtown game could be a preview of state, as the Broncs are tops in the South conference at 12-1 and they could very well meet again at the state tournament in a week.