Bravettes visit Helena High in AA softball playoff series

The Bravettes will have plenty to think about this morning during their 8:45 bus trip to Helena.

Flathead faces Helena High for a best-of-three Western AA softball playoff series beginning at 2 p.m. with a berth in next week's state tournament in Great Falls on the line.

With just one varsity veteran from last spring, most of the Bravettes are gunning for their first playing time at state. They also look to cleanse their palates of last week's 10-0 loss to Glacier, which kept them from hosting the playoffs.

"I think they want to show they can play better than they played against Glacier," Flathead coach Dale Beerman said.

"I think we've got a really good attitude. Kids are talking, kids are pushing each other more, telling them to step up. It's getting a little more serious."

But Beerman, who will step down at the end of the season after 18 years with Flathead, including four as head coach, knows there's a fine line between focus and stress. That's why he wants the Bravettes to relax and stop thinking once they hit the field.

"I try not to put pressure on them," Beerman said Tuesday. "Tonight they hit the ball so well (at practice).

"They didn't think, they just swung the bats. You can't think when you swing the bat. You can't think in 40 feet. You've just go to be ready to go."

Flathead ripped 11 hits in a 5-1 victory at Helena on April 12. Meagan Hash, Shaina Evans, Anna Costa and Justine Hayes had two knocks apiece.

The Bengals edged the Bravettes 4-3 on April 26 when Sydney Carpenter singled home Sarah Sesselman in the eighth inning. Helena's Carly Grant and Carmon Cole each had four hits.

"I think we're pretty equal," Beerman said. "They got on a roll here the last four or five games and played pretty well.

"I just think we need to put the ball in play, we need to be more aggressive on them.

"Just put the darn ball in play. Make them field it and make them throw it."

Helena finished third in the tightly packed Western AA standings at 7-5. Flathead (5-7) placed sixth.

Hash pitched both regular-season games against Helena, but she's still nursing torn rib muscles from last week. Evans will take the circle if needed, and all-state center fielder Heather Haegele has pitching experience.

The Bravettes won one game at last year's state tournament, which was in Kalispell.

"Most of them went," Beerman said. "They didn't get to play, but they watched.

"We've got four seniors (Evans, Haegele, Hayes and catcher Alanna Handford). They've played four years, and they'd like to go the state tournament.

"I've been here 18 years. I don't feel like sitting at home."