Libby softball squad makes big strides in 2026 season

Libby opened the State A softball tournament with two wins before seeing its season come to an end Friday with back-to-back losses.

The Lady Loggers, who finished the season 15-7, started the tournament Thursday with a 3-1 win over Ronan and followed with a 5-2 victory over Billings Central. Libby then fell 16-1 to Frenchtown and 8-3 to Laurel.

Against Ronan, Libby scored twice in the second inning and added another run in the fourth. The Lady Loggers finished with four hits and played error-free defense. Bently Houston doubled and scored, Hadleigh Wood and Rosi Baney each added hits, and Leah Rusdal drove in two runs. Tessa Purdy also had an RBI.

Carmen Kohler earned the win in the circle, striking out 12 over 4 2/3 innings while allowing one run on three hits. Madison Foss closed the game with 2 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out four.

Libby kept the momentum going later Thursday with a 5-2 win over Billings Central. The Lady Loggers scored two runs in the third and two in the fifth. Purdy led the offense, going 2 for 3 with a double and four RBIs. Houston went 2 for 4, while Maddie Willis added two hits. Baney also drove in a run.

Kohler threw a complete game against Billings Central, allowing two runs on five hits while striking out 11.

On Friday, Frenchtown took control early in a 16-1 win over Libby. The Broncs scored 10 runs in the first inning and finished with 14 hits. Libby was held to one hit in the loss.

The Lady Loggers closed the tournament with an 8-3 loss to Laurel. Libby had six hits, led by Willis and Jaya Boehmler with two apiece. Willis drove in a run, while Hadleigh Wood and Lexie Kim each added a hit.

Laurel scored three runs in the third, one in the fourth and two more in both the sixth and seventh.