Glacier blanks Flathead in Western AA finale
Freshman Brittany Franklin goes 4-for-4 at the plate as Wolfpack downs Bravettes, 10-0
When Glacier began its first softball season with a 13-3 loss to Polson, overconfidence was the least of its worries.
After thumping Flathead 10-0 Thursday at Kidsports Complex in the Western AA regular-season finale for both teams, the Wolfpack have a nice concern entering the postseason.
"We're pretty confident, but we can't let it get to our heads," freshman catcher Brittany Franklin said. "We have to still show up and play hard."
Franklin went 4-for-4 with three RBIs to pace Glacier's 12-hit attack as the Wolfpack (7-12 overall) finished conference play at 6-6. Glacier tied Missoula Hellgate for fourth place, and will face the Knights next week in a best-of-three playoff series with a state tournament berth on the line.
Flathead (10-10, 5-7 conference) slid to sixth place. The Bravettes will visit Missoula Big Sky or Helena High in next week's playoffs.
The Wolfpack played spotless defense behind freshman pitcher Jesse Compton, who allowed just three hits and one walk while fanning four. She retired the side in order three times, including the final two innings.
"She stepped in and put the ball exactly where she was supposed to put it every time," Glacier coach Joel Bemis said. "Didn't really struggle much.
"She moved it around enough. She threw a really great game today."
Glacier allowed only two runners beyond first base and none past second, but it was the Wolfpack's well-rounded onslaught that pleased their coach.
"We've used this same lineup for probably 14 games," Bemis said. "Just a couple times we've switched it up when we've had a girl that's been ineligible or something.
"This same lineup has been pretty strong. Zoey Pettit hitting No. 8 hits a triple - that's a great feeling.
"Right now, we feel pretty confident with the lineup, and if we can just keep this up, we've got a good chance to go to the state tournament."
Pettit's second-inning three-bagger to right field scored Sabrina Kenfield and Kristen Storle, giving Glacier a 2-0 lead. The Wolfpack added two more runs in the frame, including a sacrifice fly by Compton, who had two RBIs from the No. 9 slot.
Flathead pitcher Shaina Evans cruised through the next two innings, but Glacier scored five runs in the fifth, highlighted by Franklin's bases-loaded double to left. Kenfield singled home Lindsey Hoffenbacker to ice the game in the sixth inning.
Normally a standout first baseman, Evans made her first start in place of regular hurler Meagan Hash, who is recovering from an injury she suffered earlier this week. Flathead coach Dale Beerman said Hash should be healthy in time for the playoffs.
Evans notched three strikeouts and pitched out of a first-inning jam, but the Bravettes committed five errors, including three in the last two innings.
Beerman said the Bravettes will focus on hitting prior to the playoffs, but their other need is less tangible.
"Just them getting together as a team is what I want," he said. "I've had (the same) 11 kids all year.
"Some of those plays should have been made. They need to help their friends."
Kendra Bennett ripped a first-inning double for Flathead, and Anna Costa and Alanna Handford each singled.
Flathead cruised to state the last two years by sweeping its playoff series. Beerman knows the Bravettes, who sunk defending state champion Great Falls C.M. Russell earlier this spring, are capable of beating anybody when they're in synch.
"I told them they've got to have heart," he said. "I can't go play, the coaches can't play, so they've got to find some heart."
Hoffenbacker, Kenfield and Brittney Brown had two hits apiece for Glacier, while Storle and Pettit had one. Franklin singled in the first, second and fourth innings.
"(Evans) was throwing pretty hard, so all I had to do is connect, really, and it just went," she said.
Franklin had three hits in the Wolfpack's 5-4 Western AA loss to Flathead last month and four more in their 14-0 nonconference victory.
"I'm not sure (why)," she said. "I think it's more like adrenaline. I get really pumped up for crosstown games."
According to Bemis, the Wolfpack were fired up, but not too excited.
"They weren't tense, they just had the right amount of looseness to them," Bemis said. "They were serious when they had to be serious, and they were nice and loose and confident.
"It was good to see them just start strong and finish."
Flathead 000 000 - 0 3 5
Glacier 040 051 - 10 12 0
Shaina Evans and Alanna Handford. Jesse Compton and Brittany Franklin. W - Compton. L - Evans.
FLATHEAD (10-10, 5-7) - Heather Haegele 0-3, Becca Felde 0-3, Kendra Bennett 1-3, Evans 0-2, Handford 1-2, Anna Costa 1-2, Catie Costa 0-1, Hanna Burton 0-2, Justine Hayes 0-2.
GLACIER (7-12, 6-6) - Brittney Brown 2-3, Franklin 4-4, Megan Connolly 0-4, Abby Connolly 0-3, Lindsey Hoffenbacker 2-3, Sabrina Kenfield 2-4, Kristen Storle 1-3, Zoey Pettit 1-3, Compton 0-1.
RBIs - Fla. 0, Gla. 9 (Franklin 3, Pettit 2, Compton 2, Brown, Kenfield). 3B - Fla. 0, Gla. 1 (Pettit). 2B - Fla. 1 (Bennett), Gla. 1 (Franklin). SB - Fla. 0, Gla. 1 (Hoffenbacker). SAC - Fla. 0, Gla. 1 (Compton).