The Columbia Falls softball team went 1-3 least week.

Columbia Falls matched Polson punch for punch through the early innings on Tuesday, April 8 but a disastrous fifth inning proved too much to overcome as the Wildkats fell 13-3 in Northwest A Conference action.

Trailing 2-1 after the first, the Wildkats scratched out runs in the second and third to stay within striking distance. Annika Reid delivered a triple and drove in two runs, while Sydnee Burke added an RBI double to help Columbia Falls tie things up at 3-3.

Onnikka Lawrence had a strong day at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double, and Reid finished 1-for-1 with a walk and her two-run triple. But the offense dried up after the third, and the game quickly slipped away.

Polson erupted for 10 runs in the fifth inning, stringing together timely hits, including two home runs from Olivia Jore, to enforce the mercy rule. 

Ronan 6, Columbia Falls 4

In a game where Columbia Falls outhit Ronan 8-3, the Wildkats were unable to hold onto a mid-game lead as the visiting Maidens rallied late to steal a 6-4 win in Northwest A Conference play April 10.

Ronan took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first, but Columbia Falls answered back with a four-run third inning to go ahead 4-2.

Addy Bowler led the Wildkats offensively, going 3-for-4 with a double. Chevelle Bedford, Sydnee Burke, Onnikka Lawrence, and Katie Bulawsky each added a hit in the effort.

On the mound, Ella Branstetter pitched well in the starting role, allowing just one hit and two unearned runs over 4 2/3 innings while striking out four. Katie Bulawsky came in for relief, giving up four runs—three earned—on two hits and five walks.

Ronan’s Kailyn Marengo also went the distance in the circle, striking out six and allowing eight hits to earn the complete-game win.

Hamilton 12, Columbia Falls 2

Less than 24 hours later, the Wildkats faced a talented Hamilton squad in a non-league matchup, where early and sustained offense from the Broncs led to a 12-2 defeat for Columbia Falls in six innings.

Hamilton struck quickly, scoring in every inning but the fifth. The Wildkats managed three hits, including singles from Tayler Lingle, Chevelle Bedford, and Alexa Friske, but couldn’t string together a big inning after plating two runs in the third.

Ella Branstetter took the loss, giving up seven earned runs on nine hits over 2 2/3 innings. Hailey Greene worked briefly in relief.

On Tuesday, April 15, they walloped Whitefish 18-1 in three innings. Lawrence and Lingle both had triples in the win.