Kats win conference, beat Polson 23-20

In a high-scoring, back-and-forth offensive battle Tuesday, the Columbia Falls Wildkats softball team outlasted the Polson Pirates 23-20 in conference play to finish the regular season undefeated at 10-0 in conference play and 15-5 overall.

Kylie Gjesdal-Davis led the Wildkats with two home runs and six RBIs, while Bella Mann, Onnikka Lawrence, and Katie Bulawsky also homered. Mann added five RBIs, and Columbia Falls finished with 25 hits to Polson’s 17.

“Polson is always a good, fun, competitive atmosphere.  The game always feels important and it usually is.  Our young ladies have been doing a great job playing through the emotions and jitters the last few times we’ve played there.  We hit so good all the way through the line up.  It wasn’t just 1 or 2.  It was 10 that hit well.  We had 0 strikeouts at 52 plate appearances and a .532 team batting average.

“Only one error defensively.  A big play defensively in the second and third and bunted.  Instead of getting the out at first, Alexa Friske caught the runner from third going home.  She ran her back and threw to shortstop Lawrence covering third who got the tag.  Lawrence then threw to Mann at second for the tag, but the ump made a judgment call of safe.  Then, Bulawsky had one of her big strikeouts for third out giving us another chance to hit in the eighth to get the win,” said head coach Rick Lawrence on the contest.

Katie Bulawsky started in the circle for the Kats, facing 38 batters over six innings.  She allowed 12 hits and 13 runs while striking out four.  Ella Branstetter entered in the sixth and closed out the game, giving up five hits and seven runs while facing 14 batters over two innings.

Columbia Falls will head to Hamilton on Thursday for the start of the State Class A tournament.  They will face off against the winner of the Frenchtown vs. No. 3 Northeastern team.

“This State tournament will be good and interesting.  I would say there are six to eight teams that could be playing in the championship game.  That being said, I think this group of young ladies have what it takes to be one of the teams playing in the ‘ship.  It’s kinda crazy to be going in No. 1 and most likely having Frenchtown, the defending champions first game.  

“Thank you to everyone that has come and supported this team.  The players and coaches appreciate you.” said Lawrence.