Despite outhitting the Columbia Falls Wildkats 10 to nine last Thursday, the Loggers were outscored by four runs, losing 7-3. The loss was the first for pitcher Hannah England, who had 11 strikeouts on the day.

For the Wildkats, Ashleigh Trueblood starred on the mound and at the plate. She earned the win to move to 5-1, and went two for three with a double and four RBIs. She also struck out five batters on the day.

The bottom of the first saw Columbia Falls take an early lead, 2-0.

The Lady Loggers put up one run in the third, fifth and sixth innings. In the third, Libby scored on a sacrifice fly by Abby Ennenga to get things rolling for the Loggers.

After pushing across one run in the top of the sixth, Libby faced a 3-5 deficit. A solo home run by Regh triggered Libby’s comeback, but Trueblood got Monigold to strike out to end the inning.

Columbia Falls was able to add two more runs in the bottom of the sixth and then held the Loggers scoreless in the seventh to finish the game.

Libby was led by Mahalah Wedel, who was two for three at the plate, and Staci Regh, who went one for four with a homer.

The Wilkats are a respected opponent of Libby head coach Dean Thompson. “Columbia Falls is a great team. They were able to string their hits together, while ours were spread out throughout,” Thompson said.

Frenchtown beat Columbia Falls later in the week, showing just how strong the teams in Northwestern Montana are, but the win hasn’t changed the Loggers’ approach, said Thompson.

The team now turns their focus to division foe Polson, who will travel to Libby on Thursday for a 6 p.m. showdown. Thompson emphasized the importance of the community’s support for the Loggers as they look for a victory against the Pirates.

Libby- 0 0 1 0 1 1 0     3 10 2

C-Falls-2 0 0 0 3 2 X  7  9  4

Hannah England and Devon Gallagher; Ashley Trueblood and Samantha Collins. W—Trueblood (5-1). L — England (4-1).

LIBBY– Madisen Monigold 1-4, Mahalah Wedel 2-4, Abby Ennenga 0-4, Gallagher 1-3, Rachel Rebo 1-3, Staci Regh 1-4, Auria Benefield 1-2, Dayln Germany 1-3, England 1-3.

C-FALLS– Carlee Brown 1-1, Lottie Ellis 0-2, Peyton Kehr 1-4, Trueblood 2-3, Alysha Cantu 0-3, Madi Fetters 0-3, Collins 1-3, Katie Price 2-3, Morgan Campbell-Queen 0-1, Breanna Friar 1-2, Kaitlyn Hoerner 1-3.

2B—Kehr, Trueblood, Collins, Price, Friar; HR—Regh; RBIs—Gallagher, Rebo, Regh; Kehr, Trueblood (4), Hoerner, Friar.