Spartans strike early, down Bravettes

MISSOULA — Piper Whitman went 4-for-5 and Hailey Papp drove in three runs as Missoula Sentinel defeated Flathead 14-4 in high school softball Tuesday afternoon.

Sophia Torgison helped the Bravettes (2-5) start strong as she singled and reached third on an error that allowed June Stickney to come home and spark a three-run first inning. 

Sentinel (7-0) had a quick answer as Papp’s two-run double gave Sentinel the lead 4-3. The Spartans struck for nine runs total in the first. 

Haydan Slater and Alyssa Hanninen doubled in the sixth inning to walk off the game for Sentinel. 

Stickney went 4 2-3 innings in the circle for the Bravettes, allowing five runs on 12 hits and striking out seven. 

Whitman threw four innings for the Spartans, giving up three runs on two hits. Makenna Strab added two innings, allowing one run on one hit. 

Flathead is back at ABS Park Thursday to battle with Missoula Hellgate at 5 p.m. 

Flathead    300    001    -    4    3    6 

Sentinel    901    013    -    14    19    3

Macey McIlhargey, June Stickney (1) and Gwyn Hennell. Piper Whitman, Makenna Strab (5) and Hailey Papp. 

FLATHEAD — June Stickney 0-1, Sophia Torgison 1-3, Olivia Nyman 1-2, Macey McIlhargey 0-3, Tegan Strauss 0-2, Reese Rosenberg 1-3, Kinsey Lake 0-2, Danica Hennell 0-2, Gwyn Hennell 0-1. 

MISSOULA SENTINEL — Haydan Slater 2-4, Piper Whitman 4-5, Alyssa Hanninen 3-5, B Bridger 3-4, Hailey Papp 2-2, Makenna Strab 0-3, E Wingo 0-3, Gigi Nimlos 0-1, Isabel Schwartz 2-3, Payton Taylor 2-3, Layla Brushia 1-4. 

2B — Taylor, Hanninen, Papp, Slater, Bridger. RBIs — McIlhargey, Strauss. Papp 3, Slater 2, Hanninen 2, Whitman, Bridger, Schwartz.