The core of Columbia Falls’ back-to-back state championship softball teams graduated or otherwise moved on, but here we are in late May and the Wildkats are still hitting.

That’s especially true of the seniors: Sidney Burke (.397 batting average), Addy Bowler (.476), Tayler Lingle (.492) and Annika Reid (.567). 

The quartet lead a lineup that has won 10 straight games heading into the State A softball tournament, which begins today on the Wildkats’ complex behind Columbia Falls High School. The Kats play Hamilton in one of the first two games, at 11 a.m. 

In the three-hole is Reid, a first baseman who has team-highs of nine doubles and 35 runs batted in. 

“It’s always nice to have a strong lefty bat,” Rick Lawrence, the Wildkats’ first-year head coach, said. “We tried to get her to pitch, because that would have been nice. But she’s a very good first baseman. It’s going to be hard to refill her shoes.” 

Lawence had to think the same thing about ace pitcher Maddie Moultray, catcher Demye Rensel and third baseman Haden Peters — key cogs on teams that went 25-3 and 26-3 in 2023-24. All three were seniors a year ago. 

Then Dave Kehr quietly stepped down after his 20-some seasons leading the program. That left the Kats with, well, a lot of offense. Lawrence’s sophomore daughter, Onnika, plays shortstop and has four home runs. She and Lingle lead the team with 28 runs scored. Alexa Friske is hitting .583; catcher Bella Mann owns a .314 average; Kylie Gjesdal-Davis is hitting .365 near the bottom of this lineup. 

Taking over for Moultray are two pitchers: sophomore Katie Bulawsky and freshman Ella Branstetter. Their work in the circle has helped Columbia Falls go 15-6 so far. 

“They’ve done a great job,” Reid said. “Our freshman, Ella, I am just amazed with her — coming in and not really knowing any of us, and doing as well as she has. So impressive.” 

There was a time when Reid was foe, not friend: She was born in Whitefish and came to Columbia Falls after sixth grade (her mom, Kim Gange Reid, is Columbia Falls High librarian).  Now she’s a leader on a team that, after rainy state titles in Belgrade and Billings, gets to play at home. 

“I think that will be really cool,” Reid said. “We’ve always had to drive upwards of five hours. That gets girls tired. 

“Plus, I’m really excited to see the community come to our state games, because they’ve never been able to, you know?” 

“We’ve been in Billings a lot lately,” Lawrence said. “I’m just glad we made it. It was touch and go for a while.” 

An early 12-2 loss to Hamilton dropped the Cats to 1-4. At some point, perhaps in their 8-7 win over Flathead on April 24, they started getting the offense going earlier in games. 

Since then they’ve lost only to Frenchtown (9-8) and Billings Central (15-9). Both the Broncs and the Rams have first-round byes at this tournament. 

“We lost to (the Rams) at the Frenchtown tournament,” Reid, who has signed to play next season at DIII St. Catherine University (Minn.), said. “We didn’t hit the ball as well as we should have, and we started off a little intimidated, honestly: ‘They’re coming for us.’ “ 

Such is the plight of a two-time state champion.  

“With the really good teams, we’re right there,” Lawrence said. “The weird thing is you could get first, or you could sixth this weekend.” 

Don’t bet against the Kats, who have won 11 of 13. 

“Pretty good turnaround,” Lawrence said. “I’m proud of them.”