Softball wrapped up this past week with Polson, Ronan and Mission/Arlee/Charlo all fighting against the best in Classes A and B. Despite no local team winning a state title, they all played close games to wrap up a successful year for these three softball squads.

Laurel 13, Polson 4

Polson started their title fight against Laurel on May 28 in Hamilton.

The Lady Pirates played a tough Lady Locomotives team close early, only trailing 5-3 after the first three innings. Despite a close early fight, Laurel gained momentum in the fourth inning with four runs.

Polson couldn’t find another run until the sixth inning but Laurel had garnered too much of a lead as they won 13-4.

Logan McCrea served as the starting pitcher while also having a solid performance with one RBI on two hits and one run scored. Gracie Hammer led the team in runs scored with two.

Columbia Falls 7, Polson 5

Polson tried to keep their season alive on May 29 with a game against Columbia Falls in the consolation bracket.

The Lady Pirates took a solid lead with a 5-0 start in the first three innings. However, the Wildkats came back in the fourth inning with a five-run response. Columbia Falls continued to score as they earned back-to-back runs in the sixth and seventh innings.

Polson’s strong start wasn’t enough as they didn’t score in the final four innings, ending their season with a 7-5 loss.

Ahri Rushing ended their season with a strong performance with two RBIs on three hits and one run scored.

Libby 3, Ronan 1

Ronan battled hard in a close game against Libby on May 28 to kick off the state tournament.

Despite an early 3-0 lead from Libby, Ronan battled with one of the top teams in the state, even putting up a run at the top of the fourth. It was a defensive bout with each team's pitching staffs fighting it out.

Even with the close defensive battle, Ronan struggled to score more than that single run. The Maidens lost 3-1.

Nevaeh Perez earned the lone run scored off a home run.

Lockwood 16, Ronan 0

Ronan closed their season out with a tough loss to Lockwood on May 29.

The Maidens had a strong start to this one, keeping a strong Lockwood team to just a single run in the first three innings. However, the Lady Lions picked up their scoring, ending the game with at least two runs in the last four innings.

An eight-run seventh inning was the last blow from Lockwood as Ronan couldn’t manage a run in this game. They lost 16-0, ending their successful season on day two of the state tournament.

Sierra McGreevey, Nevaeh Perez and Autumn Lozeau were the lone Maiden batters to register a hit in the season closer.

Shepherd 11, MAC 1

MAC started their tournament run off with a loss on May 28 in Billings to Shepherd.

The Lady Bulldogs took an early deficit and never found a way to regain their short-lived lead from the top of the first inning. Shepherd led 2-1 and, despite not scoring for three straight innings, found a way to end the game in six innings with a seven-run sixth inning.

MAC struggled to score late in the game and lost in their opening round game 11-1.

GG Hawk scored the lone run in this game.

MAC 14, Stillwater 13

The Lady Bulldogs earned the lone win of the weekend from any local softball squad later in the day on May 28 against Stillwater.

It was an offensive fight as both teams traded scoring runs, with MAC finding their spark later on. Stillwater took a 6-2 lead after the first three innings, looking to capitalize on slower run scoring by MAC. However, the Lady Bulldogs scored four runs in the fourth to kick off a scoring run that helped them inevitably take the win.

MAC kept Stillwater to just one run in the last two innings to win this one 14-13.

Hawk had a strong performance with one RBI on three hits with three runs scored. Kieran Incashola and Amilliia Bartell both had three hits as well.

Manhattan 11, MAC 6

MAC’s season came to an end on May 29 when they faced off against Manhattan.

The Lady Bulldogs were the first to strike and held their own for the first three innings as well. That 3-1 lead was good enough until the fourth inning, as Manhattan nabbed three runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

No scoring in the sixth meant MAC needed to find some life in the seventh. After allowing four runs to start the innings, the Lady Bulldogs could only match with three runs of their own. They lost 11-6 to end their season.

Avia Lee led the team in RBIs with two, along with two hits and one run scored.

    Ronan batter Shelby Taylor sprints to first base against Libby on May 28 at the Class A State Softball Tournament in Hamilton. (Max Dupras/Leader)
  

    Ronan infielder Marie Cheff throws a baseball against Libby on May 28 at the Class A State Softball Tournament in Hamilton. (Max Dupras/Leader)
  

    Polson batter Aleysia Black attempts a bunt against Laurel on May 28 at the Class A State Softball Tournament in Hamilton. (Max Dupras/Leader)