Softball building momentum as state tourney nears

The Columbia Falls Wildkat softball team strung together four straight wins over a five-day stretch, capping their regular season push with high-scoring offense and steady pitching. The Wildkats improved to 15-6 overall with victories over Polson, Havre, Lockwood, and Dawson County.

Columbia Falls opened the week with a wild 15-13 road win over Polson on May 6. The Wildkats built a 4-1 lead before Polson stormed back to take a late lead, but Columbia Falls responded with a six-run fourth to take control of the game.

Addy Bowler and Annika Reid both homered in the win. Reid drove in five on three hits. Tayler Lingle added four RBIs a double and triple. Ella Branstetter and Katie Bulawsky combined to pitch seven innings, scattering 18 hits and striking out five.

On May 9 at the LaVerne Combo Butte Invitational, the Wildkats downed Havre 6-3 behind a 15-hit attack and solid pitching. Addy Bowler led the offense, going 4-for-4 with three RBIs and three runs. Tayler Lingle scored twice and doubled, and Alexa Friske drove in two runs.

Ella Branstetter and Katie Bulawsky again split pitching duties. Branstetter allowed three earned runs over 3 and 1/3 innings, and Bulawsky closed it out with two scoreless frames to seal the win.

Columbia Falls followed up with a 9-4 win over Lockwood later that same day. Tayler Lingle had three hits and an RBI, while Onnikka Lawrence added two hits and two RBIs. Alexa Friske and Bella Mann both chipped in with two hits each. Annika Reid drove in three runs and reached base twice.

Branstetter pitched three innings and gave up three earned runs, and Bulawsky handled the final inning, allowing just one run. The Wildkats tallied 12 hits with Annika Reid going 2-2 with three RBI. Onnikka Lawrence and Bella Mann each drove in two runs. 

The Wildkats capped their week on May 10 at the invitational with a decisive 11-3 win over Dawson County. Columbia Falls scored five runs in the first two innings to take command early. Kylie Gjesdal-Davis had two hits and drove in three runs, while Onnikka Lawrence had two hits and an RBI. Addy Bowler had three hits and an RBI as well, while Alexa Friske went 2-for-3 and an RBI.

The pitching duo of Branstetter and Bulawsky limited Dawson to six hits and struck out three. The defense held firm behind them, committing no errors in the victory.