Libby softball splits games, dominates Whitefish before falling to Columbia Falls

The Libby Loggers softball team picked up a decisive win before running into a tough Columbia Falls squad in a pair of weekend matchups.

Libby opened with a commanding 15-0 victory over Whitefish on April 9, using a dominant all-around performance to end the game early.

The Loggers erupted for six runs in the second inning and added six more in the fourth, finishing with 12 hits. 

Bently Houston led the offensive surge with three hits, two doubles and two RBIs, while Rossi Baney added two hits, a triple and three RBIs. Weslee MacDonald notched two hits, a double, a triple and three RBIs, while Maddie Willis had three hits, a double and two RBIs.

Tessa Purdy drove in two runs.

In the circle, Willis earned the win, allowing just one hit over two scoreless innings while striking out three. Carmen Kohler closed out the game, combining with Willis on a one-hit shutout.

The Loggers followed with a tougher test April 11, falling 17-7 to Columbia Falls despite producing solid offense.

Libby collected nine hits and scored in four different innings, highlighted by contributions from several players. Hadleigh Wood, Maddie Willis and Weslee MacDonald each had two hits. Weslee MacDonald drove in three runs and had a double and a home run. While Willis had a double and drove in two runs. Wood notched a home run in the contest.

The Wildkats, however, proved difficult to contain, scoring in every inning and piling up 15 hits.

Libby’s pitching staff worked through a high-powered Columbia Falls lineup, with MacDonald, Willis and Kohler sharing time in the circle.

The Loggers (3-1) host Polson Thursday.

    Libby's Teighler Parker makes contact Thursday, April 9, 2026, against Whitefish. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
  

    Libby's Hadleigh Wood gets ready for a pitch Thursday, April 9, 2026, against Whitefish. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)