Glacier, Flathead need 2 wins to advance to state in softball
For both Flathead and Glacier, it's not the impossible dream.
Both schools are involved in Class AA softball playoff series action with those winners advancing to the state tournament May 28-30 in Helena. All the Bravettes and Wolfpack have to do is win two games in their respective one-day, three-game series.
And it can happen for both schools.
"That first game is the big one mentally," Glacier coach Joel Bemis said.
"If you can get that first one, it gives you an edge."
Glacier, fifth in the final Western AA standings with a 5-7 mark, plays today at Missoula Big Sky, fourth place and also 5-7. The first game begins at 1:30 p.m. Games follow at 3:30 and 5 p.m., if necessary.
Big Sky won two of the three regular-season meetings between the two schools. The Eagles prevailed 8-5 and 13-8, while the Wolfpack took the other one 4-1.
Flathead, 0-12, plays Friday at second-place Missoula Hellgate, 10-2. That series begins at 1:30 p.m. at Rattlesnake Fields. Games follow at 3 and 5, if necessary.
Hellgate dropped Flathead three times this spring, but all were close, 4-0, 10-7 and 2-1.
Western AA's other matchup pits sixth-place Helena Sentinel, 4-8, at third-place Helena High, 7-5, today.
League champ Capital, 11-1, has an automatic bye into the state tournament.
Butte, 10-2, won the Eastern AA title to qualify for state.
Glacier vs. Missoula Big Sky
Glacier will need another strong performance by Kendra Bouley, 7-4 on the season, in the circle to knock off the Eagles.
Brittany Franklin, .370 batting average, and Lindsey Hoffenbacker, .367, are key to getting the offense rolling.
"They upset Hellgate, they've proven they can beat anyone," Bemis said of Big Sky.
"We expect some tough games from them."
Bemis said the two teams matchup well, which should make for a fun, exciting series.
"We'd like to be hosting it, but that's the way it goes," he said.
"We both ended up with 5-7 records. They beat a higher-seeded team (Hellgate) than we did in a conference game."
That's what gave Big Sky the tie-breaker and the home field for this one.
"We've played three games in the same night before," Bemis said.
"We've seen it and done it. We know what it's about. We're mentally ready for it."
Flathead vs.
Missoula Hellgate
Record wise, it was a dismal season for the Bravettes. They were winless in league play and notched just two victories overall.
Improvement wise, it was a different story. The team made great strides week-by-week.
Meagan Hash has been a bright spot in the circle. She had 10 strikeouts versus Hellgate in the 4-0 loss and gave up three hits.
Hellgate hurler DJ Johnson fanned 11 in that game.
In her other outing with the Knights, a 2-1 loss, Hash surrendered just four hits.
Johnson threw a 1-hitter in that one.
Flathead picked up a late-season victory over Whitefish, scoring a season-high 12 runs.
Softball Playoff Schedule
Western AA
Today
1:30/3:30/5 p.m. - Glacier at Missoula Big Sky
1:30/3/4:30 p.m. - Missoula Sentinel at Helena
Friday
1:30/3/5 p.m. - Flathead at Missoula Hellgate
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Eastern AA
Today
1/3/5 p.m. - Bozeman at Billings Skyview
Friday
1/3/5 p.m. - Billings Senior at Billings West
1/3/5 p.m. - Great Falls at Great Falls CMR
Final Regular Season Standings' Western AA
League Overall
W-L W-L
Helena Capital 11-1 15-4
Missoula Hellgate 10-2 16-5
Helena 7-5 11-7
Missoula Big Sky 5-7 7-15
Glacier 5-7 8-10
Missoula Sentinel 4-8 6-13
Flathead 0-12 2-17
Eastern AA
League Overall
W-L W-L
Butte 10-2 15-5
Billings Skyview 9-3 14-8
Great Falls CMR 8-4 17-5
Billings West 7-5 15-7
Billings Senior 5-7 10-12
Great Falls 3-9 9-13
Bozeman 0-12 1-21