COLUMBIA FALLS — Columbia Falls overcame a slow start to earn an 11-1 nonconference win over Ronan Thursday in a six-inning softball game halted by the 10-run-rule.

The Wildkats had just two hits — both infield singles by Carlee Brown — in the first three innings, but strung together three consecutive doubles to take a 3-0 lead in the fourth, then exploded for six runs on seven hits in the sixth.

Winter Kemppainen led Columbia Falls with three hits in three at bats and eight of the Wildkats’ nine starters tallied at least one hit.

“It was a slow start, but they got going real well,” Columbia Falls coach Dave Kehr said. “I think top to bottom everybody hit. There was good offensive production, bunting, good baserunning. Offensively I don’t think we could have done a whole lot different.”

Kathrin Jetty struck out swinging at offspeed pitches in her first two at bats, but she jumped on a first-pitch fastball in her third plate appearance and drove it over the left field fence and into the windshield of a parked car.

“I was just trying to stay calm the entire time,” Jetty said. “I just made sure I got a solid hit. I wasn’t looking for a home run, it just happened.”

Jetty picked up another RBI in the sixth inning with a line-drive double to the left-center field gap. The double was Columbia Falls’ sixth hit of the inning.

“You start cheering for your team, you get loud and it becomes contagious,” Jetty said.

Columbia Falls pitcher Ashley Trueblood carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but Ronan’s Ashleigh Lynch led off the sixth with an infield single and Alaina Madsen followed with an opposite-field RBI double.

Trueblood finished with three strikeouts and no walks. While she wasn’t overpowering, she threw a mix of offspeed pitches and stayed away from the heart of the plate.

“Just mixing it up and hitting my spots, keeping them offbalance,” Trueblood said.

Columbia Falls took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Tiffany Hummer scored on a throwing error.

Ronan threatened in the fourth when its first two hitters reached base, but Trueblood worked out of the jam, inducing a fielder’s choice and a strikeout before catcher Breanna Friar picked Turquoise Haggard off first base.

“(Trueblood) pitched a solid game,” Kehr said. “Good enough to win of course, and that’s what we did. We got her some run support and it’s a lot easier to pitch when you’re ahead than when it’s tight or you’re behind.”

Madsen, Ronan’s starting pitcher, allowed six runs on nine hits. Reliever Kendra Staekel gave up 5 runs on six hits.

Columbia Falls travels to Frenchtown today and Saturday for the Frenchtown Tournament.

“We’ve got to carry it over into the tournament tomorrow,” Jetty said. “We’re looking to carry it over through the entire season actually. Hitting is a huge thing for us and we’re looking to compete this year.”

Ronan000001—121

Columbia Falls100316—11153

Alaina Madsen, Kendra Staekel (6) and Kaitlyn Sassaman. Ashley Trueblood and Breanna Friar, Courtney Murray (5). W - Trueblood. L - Madsen.

RONAN - Ashleigh Lynch 1-3, Madsen 1-3, Sassaman 0-2, McKenzie Duimes 0-3, Turquoise Haggard 0-2, Madison Barber 0-2, Samantha Colman 0-2, Danielle Rachwine 0-2, Courtney Taylor 0-2.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Tiffany Hummer 1-3, Carlee Brown 2-3, Alex Pederson 1-1, Trueblood 1-4, Kathrin Jetty 2-4, Catie King 2-4, Ciarra Holm 2-3, Winter Kemppainen 3-3, Amanda Morrison 0-2, Friar 1-2, Murray 0-1.

2B - Madsen; King 2, Holm, Kemppainen, Jetty. HR - Jetty. RBI - Madsen; Jetty 2, King 2, Trueblood, Hummer, Holm, Kemppainen, Friar, Murray.