Flathead downs CMR, Great Falls

The Daily Inter Lake

That's the way to bounce back.

The Flathead Bravettes came back from Thursday's loss to Class A Libby and knocked off defending Class AA champion CMR 10-7 on Saturday afternoon. The Bravettes (3-1) then completed the nonconference doubleheader sweep of Great Falls schools with an 8-1 victory over Great Falls High.

"It was a great day for Flathead softball. (The Bravettes) hit today. They were focused," said Flathead head coach Dale Beerman.

"Everybody is playing well.

"We went back to practice on Friday and they just started doing our defensive stuff. We didn't throw the ball around today," he added.

Flathead was down early against CMR - Maghan Yurek got the Rustlers on the board in the first with a 2-run homer. But the Bravettes took the lead with three runs in the second, then tacked on four more runs in the third. They led 10-3 after six innings, but gave up four runs in the top of the seventh.

"You've got to give CMR credit. (The Rustlers) haven's been outside except twice. You can only work on so many things in a gym. But they'll be tough. There's no doubt about it," Beerman said.

Leading the way for Flathead was pitcher Meagan Hash - Hash struck out nine Rustlers and 13 Bison.

"She pitched well today. For her to get that mentally tough on CMR … it was pretty amazing to watch," the coach said.

Flathead backed her up with plenty of offense. The Bravettes outhit CMR 11-9 and Great Falls 11-6.

Senior Shaina Evans was 5-for-6 on the day with a double and an RBI. Catcher Alana Handford was 4-for-6 and Hash was 3-for-7 with a double.

Beerman was effusive in his praise for the Flathead team.

" I can't say enough for the kids that come out," he said.

He also added his thanks to the Flathead coaching staff - Lissy Boar, Brynn Wulcutt, Tim Severson and volunteer coaches Jordan Waverek and Rick Haegele.

"It's nice having them around helping me out," Beerman said.

Beerman added that he has turned in his resignation as Flathead head coach, effective at season's end.

"It's time to phase out of this thing and let somebody younger take over. It's time to sit in the outfield in my lawn chair, but they made me feel good today."

Flathead 10, CMR 7

CMR 210 000 4 - 7 9 1

Flathead 0 3 4 0 2 1 x - 10 11 0

Meagan Hash and Alanna Handford. Kira Bigler, Brittany Allen (5) and Yurek. W - Hash (2-1 - 9 hits, 9 strikeouts, 3 walks) L- Bigler.

CMR - Becca Frank 0-4, Haylee Miller 1-3, Jill Zeren 1-2, Maghan Yurek 3-4, Brittney Robbins 3-3, Bigler 0-4, Kelsey Lowry 1-2, Amy Anderson 1-2, Dani Della Rosa 3-4.

HR - Yurek. 2B - Robbins

Flathead - Heather Haegele 0-4, Meagan Hash 2-3, Catie Costa 0-2, Alana Handford 2-3, Kendra Bennett 1-2, Shaina Evans 3-3, Anna Costa 2-3, Justine Hayes 0-2, Hana Burton 1-3.

2B - Hash, Evans 2B

RBIs: Evans 1, A. Costa 3, Burton 1

Flathead 8, Great Falls 1

Great Falls 000 001 0 - 1 6 0

Flathead 001 205 x 8 11 1

Meagan Hash and Alanna Handford. JoJo Lartch and Banach. W - Hash (3-1 - 6 hits, 13 strikeouts, 0 walks). L - Lartch.

Great Falls - Maijka Francis 0-4, Brittany Kumm 2-3, Nicki Banach 0-2, JoJo Lartch 0-3, Chea Hollis 2-3, Sarah Schermele 0-3, Kacia Taylor 2-3, Erica Jenkiins 0-2, Danni Swift 0-2.

2B - Hollis.

Flathead - Haegele 3-4, Hash 1-4, C. Costa 1-4, Handford 2-3, Bennett 1-3, Evans 2-3, A. Costa 1-3, Hayes 0-3, Burton 0-2.