Butte's Henderson outduels Flathead's Stickney

June Stickney was excellent in the circle for the Flathead Bravettes Friday, but Butte’s Brea Henderson was even better in the Bulldogs’ 1-0 Western AA softball win at ABS Park.

Stickney allowed four hits and two walks but also hit two Butte batters in the first inning. That led to Brittyn Klima’s RBI two-out RBI single being the difference in the game for the Bulldogs (4-3). 

Stickney struck out eight; she also had one of Flathead’s three hits. Kinsey Lake and Macey McIlhargey had the others.  

Only twice did Flathead (3-7) get a runner as far as second base. McIlhargey’s single in the sixth inning moving Makenna Korf, who’d reached on an error, into scoring position with one out. The Bravettes didn’t capitalize. 

In the seventh Tegan Strauss reached on an error to lead off, but Henderson struck out the next three hitters to end it. She finished with nine strikeouts to go with one walk.