Kats battle their way to fourth at state tourney

The Wildkat softball team went 3-2 and placed fourth at the Class A State Softball Tournament in Hamilton last week.  Columbia Falls earned decisive wins over Polson, Dawson County, and Fergus, but fell short in a 10-inning thriller to Frenchtown and dropped a close game to Laurel.

The Kats opened the tournament against reigning state champion Frenchtown, which had beaten them 12–7 earlier in the season.  This matchup was much tighter, with the score tied 3–3 from the third inning through 10 when Frenchtown would claim the win off of a pair of singles to the outfield.  

Onnikka Lawrence led Columbia Falls at the plate, going 3-for-5 along with three RBIs on a first-inning double and a two-run home run in the third.  

Katie Bulawsky pitched all 10 innings, striking out nine and walking one.  She allowed eight hits and four runs, three of them earned.

In the consolation bracket, the Kats would have to battle through three teams in less than 24 hours.  Their first opponent would be Polson, marking the third meeting between the teams this season.  After winning the first two matchups, Columbia Falls faced a Pirates squad eager for revenge.  Polson jumped out to a 5-0 lead by the bottom of the third, but the Kats rallied to tie it 5–5 in the top of the fourth on a two-run home run by Kylie Gjesdal-Davis and a three-run Polson error.  The Kats would go on and score one more in both the sixth and the seventh to take the game 7-5 and keep hopes alive.

Alexa Friske and Gjesdal-Davis each collected two RBIs apiece in the game, and the Kats would have 10 total hits.

Ella Branstetter started in the circle and pitched four innings, allowing seven hits and five runs while striking out one.  Bulawsky entered in relief in the fifth and held Polson scoreless, giving up two hits and striking out three.

The Kats defeated Fergus County 5–3 in their next game.  Columbia Falls took the lead in the first inning and never gave it up, finishing with 11 hits.  Kendal Moultray went 3-for-3 to lead the offense, while Gjesdal-Davis drove in four runs.

Bulawsky got the start again and struck out five.  She allowed 11 hits and three runs, only one of them earned.

On Saturday morning, Columbia Falls faced Laurel with a chance to keep its tournament run alive. The Kats led 4–2 through the sixth inning, but Laurel surged ahead 5–4 on a three-run home run by Ava Styles.  Columbia Falls could not answer in the seventh, and the loss brought its season to an end.

Bulawsky led the Kats offensively, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs.  She would also pitch six innings, strike out two while allowing 10 hits and five earned runs.

“It was a good season.  We reached lots of our goals as a team,” coach Rick Lawrence said. “Couple of them being:  go first in the conference, then play on Saturday at state.  Our young ladies are so resilient, mentally tough, and they just compete regardless of the score and situation! They need to be very proud of themselves. The coaching staff is!

“Speaking of the coaching staff, I am so blessed to have the coaches helping this team that I do.  They are all so knowledgeable, great with the girls and here for the right reasons!  Melissa Davis, Jesse Mann, and Josh Branstetter, the girls and I thank you for all you do and we appreciate you!

“Thank you to everyone out there that supports these student athletes.  We will see you next season.”