Bravettes roll over loggers
Flathead’s Christina Zorn fires the ball to first base for an out during Thursday’s game against Libby at Conrad Complex in Kalispell. Craig Moore/Daily Inter Lake
The Bravettes are officially on a roll.
After dropping seven straight softball games, the girls have now won six of their last seven including Thursday's win over Libby, 6-3.
Flathead coach Dale Beerman credits team chemistry due to a set group of players he sticks with.
"I like where they're at," Beerman said. "I'm not going to change things around now."
Libby's defense kept the game close for five-and-a-half innings. During that stretch, Flathead left 10 runners stranded on base.
In the top of the fifth, Libby's Sara Lawrence came home after a single by Sam Schultz. Schultz went 2-4 against Flathead pitcher Brianna Compton.
The Loggers tried to make their move in the sixth. Lead-off hitter Lacie Dedrick connected and made it to first after an infield error by the Bravettes. Shelby Barton came to the plate and ripped a grounder toward short.
Courtney Sverdrup scooped up the ball and threw Barton out at first, and Dedrick made the run to second.
Catcher Teri Rebo then belted a long shot into right field, which send Dedrick home to tie the score, 2-2.
Unfortunately for the Loggers, Flathead's infield play toughened up and denied Libby another score.
The Bravettes then managed to do what few other teams have accomplished against Libby pitcher Brooke Hageness - they rang her up for a slew of hits.
Flathead scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth. All nine of the Bravette batters got a chance at the plate.
Libby managed to score once more in the seventh inning when Lawrence came home off a single by Katie Dedrick.
"They're competitive and fight all the way," Beerman said of Libby.
Flathead (6-8 overall, 5-5 conference) hosts a doubleheader against Butte on Saturday at Noon and 2 p.m. The last time Flathead played Butte, the Bulldogs won 15-4 and 16-4.
BRAVETTES 6, LOGGERS 2
Libby 000 011 1 - 3 6 4
Flathead 100 014 x - 6 10 6
Brooke Hageness and Teri Rebo. Brianna Compton and Julie Robertson. W - Compton. L - Hageness.
Libby - Brooke Hageness 0-4, Sam Schultz 2-4, Katie Dedrick 0-4, Lacie Dedrick 0-4, Shelby Barton 1-3, Teri Rebo 0-3, Nickole Lapka 2-3, McKenzie Grotjohn 0-1, Sara Lawrence 1-3.
Flathead - Heather Haegele 0-4, Brianna Compton 0-3, Christina Zorn 2-4, Liz Dwyer 1-2, Spencyr Schmaltz 0-4, Julie Robertson 1-4, Lindsay Ingram 0-4, Brittney Nelson 2-3, Courtney Sverdrup 1-3.
2B - None. 3B - None. RBI - Zorn, Robertson, Schultz, Barton.