Softball suffers tough loss to rival Frenchtown

The Columbia Falls softball team lost to Frenchtown at home Saturday, 12-7.

Frenchtown jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning, taking advantage of a Wildkats’ throwing error and a ground out to plate two runs. The Broncs continued their momentum in the second, as Brooklyn Smith crushed a grand slam over the left-field fence, pushing Frenchtown to 6-0.  

Kats’ pitcher, Katie Bulawsky, along with her defense, then put the brakes on the Broncs’ offense, delivering a scoreless third inning and keeping Columbia Falls within striking distance.  

The Broncs would go onto add two more during the top of the fourth to put them up by eight.  The Wildkats would come within striking distance when their bats would come alive during the bottom of the fourth.  Ignited by singles from Dayvian Edwards, Ella Timlick, Alexa Friske and a double by Kate Lewellen, Columbia Falls put four runs on the board, narrowing the gap to 8-4.  

In the bottom of the sixth, the Wildkats struck again, scoring two to close the deficit to one.  However, the Broncs would not be quite done in the top of the seventh and would go on to add four to extend their lead to five.  The Kats mounted a final comeback attempt in their last at bat but couldn’t overcome the Broncs’ ending the contest with a 12-7 loss. 

“I think we had opportunities.  We left runners in scoring positions a couple of times and not really timely hitting.  We only scored in the fourth and sixth, but when we got rolling, we scored multiple runs in the inning.

“We had four runs scored from our center fielder running into the fence and helping the ball over the fence.  Fortunately, she wasn’t hurt.  Kylor (Gietzen) hit the fence hard, but it was a good effort,” said head coach Rick Lawrence.

Lewellen would lead the offense for the Kats with three RBIs and by going 2-5 at the plate.  Edwards had three hits, and Ella Timlick collected two.

Bulawsky allowed 10 hits and eight runs, six earned, and struck out four and walk four.  Ella Branstetter came in to pitch part of the seventh inning, after which Bulawsky returned to finish the game.  During her time on the mound, Branstetter allowed three hits, four runs, and one walk.

“I don’t like losing, ever, but I think the girls competed.  A couple things different here and there, and it’s a different score.  They are not an unwinnable game for us later this season.  We had two senior starters out, Chevelle Bedford and Bella Mann, so it was a different starting lineup than usual.  Edwards and Timlick helped fill in defensively,” said Lawrence.

The Kats were also scheduled to play the Browning Indians on Thursday, but the game was canceled due to snow.  

This upcoming week, they will take on the Glacier Wolfpack in Kalispell Tuesday after press time, along with Polson here on Thursday followed by a trip to Libby to face off against the Loggers on Saturday.