Columbia Falls went 25-4 last softball season, and four of the principals in the Wildkats’ heart-stopping repeat as Class A champs have departed: third sacker Haden Peters, pitcher Maddie Moultray, catcher Demye Rensel and coach Dave Kehr.

But don’t cry for the Kats just yet. Longtime Columbia Falls assistant and and youth coach Rick Lawrence has the reins, and he has some talent coming back. 

“Real big shoes to fill,” Lawrence admitted this week. “But it’s a strong returning cast and I think we’re going to get better and better through the year.” 

There are some familiar names. Onnika Lawrence, daughter of the head coach, is at shortstop. There’s also Annika Reid in the outfield, Addy Bowler on the infield and centerfielder Tayler Lingle.  

Coach Lawrence is relying on two pitchers to take over for the decorated Moultray; sophomore Katie Bulawski and freshman Ella Branstetter. Junior Bella Mann is moving behind the plate.  

The squad is 1-1 already, including an 8-7 victory over Hamilton in which the Kats erased a 7-0 deficit. 

“That was nice to come back and get a win,” Lawrence said. “And then Belgrade (the AA Panthers handed the Kats a 9-2 loss), they’re always tough. It was just nice to get out and pitch a real ball, outside.” 

Polson went 21-8 last spring and finished third at state, dropping a 10-8 decision to Columbia Falls as the Wildkats fought back from a semifinal loss. 

The Lady Pirates played Hamilton twice, to a 4-4 tie and a 6-0 win behind pitcher Samantha Rensvold. 

“All-in-all I thought we played pretty danged well,” Polson coach Jami Hanson said. “Defensively we had a couple mistakes that cost us. But we hit the ball pretty well, ran the bases extremely well.” 

Olivia Jore, an All-State player last year, hit a grand slam in the win. The Pirates have more big hitters besides “OJ.” Nevaeh Perez and Liz Cunningham, for starters. 

“There are going to be some games where we take our lumps, but I’m excited about this team,” Hamson said. “Our goal is to get one percent better every game and practice and see where we’re at, at the end.” 

Ronan made the State A tournament last May, going 1-2, and return a trio of highly-thought of Maidens off that 18-9 squad: Ally Luedtke, Kailyn Marengo and pitcher Kaydnce Santos.  

The Libby Loggers have Dakota Allen back from a 14-11 squad. 

Whitefish and Browning combined for just one victory last season, and Whitefish postponed its opener with Libby last week.  

The Northwest teams team up with the Southwest to form one Western A Division – there are play-in games to determine the six state qualifiers.  

Columbia Falls is hosting the State A tournament May 22-24. 

It feels like the usual suspects will be there. Frenchtown, Dillon and Hamilton were the Southwest representatives a year ago. 

“I just feel confident in where we’re headed from there,” Polson’s Hanson said. “It’s going to be interesting to see Frenchtown later in the year, and hopefully we get to see Billings Central later, too.  

“And Columbia Falls is always competitive. They lost some studs, but they always rebuild.” 

    Columbia Falls' Bella Mann (3) connects on a single in the first inning against Flathead at Kidsports on Tuesday, April 25. (Casey Kreider/Daily Inter Lake)