Wolfpack rolls over Bravettes

Nothing like some early runs to calm the nerves and get the softball juices flowing, especially when the contest is as big as the Flathead-Glacier crosstown doubleheader.

The Glacier Wolfpack (4-3) scored four runs in the first inning of Friday's conference game en route to a 14-4 five-inning win over the Flathead Bravettes (2-3). It rolled in the second game as well, 20-2.

Jessie Compton got the first-game win. Jena Willis threw a two-hitter to claim the nightcap.

That runs Glacier's crosstown streak to 12 straight victories.

The stomach butterflies were large and active beforehand - for both teams.

"Our girls were really nervous coming into this game. Flathead is a much-improved team this year, a much better team than the score indicated," said Glacier coach Joel Bemis.

The Wolfpack team members looked at common opponents before Friday's contest - Flathead had done just as well or better against several of those teams.

"Our girls were nervous, looking and comparing," he said.

Getting four runs so early was huge for Glacier.

"I think that was tough on them and good for us. I think (the Wolfpack) just relaxed after that. And they hit the ball," Bemis said.

Glacier had 13 hits in the first game and 17 in the second.

The first-game hits were big - the Wolfpack had a third-inning grand slam by Willis and Baylee Quay hit a walk-off three-run homer.

Willis was 4-for-4 in that game with four RBI and 6-for-8 with a double and seven RBI on the day.

"What a night for her. She is an outstanding softball player," Bemis said.

"She just crushed one, pulled it right over the left field fence. She must have hit it 225 feet. She just absolutely pounded it," he added.

"My hat is off to Jena Willis today. She hit well, then came in the second game and pretty much shut us down," said Flathead coach Tim Severson.

It was the early scoring that did the damage. Flathead committed two first-inning errors that led to three Glacier runs.

"I thought the girls came out and definitely competed in that first game," Severson said.

"But you get a good hitting team like Glacier and you give them a couple extra outs, they tend to make you pay. Two errors ended up being three runs in the first inning. Momentum definitely swung," he said.

Flathead bounced back with two runs in the second but by then the mental damage was done.

"We hit the ball hard at a couple people, but overall we have some things we need to improve on," Severson said.

"The girls definitely hung in there, though. They fought to the bitter end," he said.

Bemis complimented the efforts of pitcher Compton.

"She's done a good job, Jessie has. She pitched a solid game," he said.

Severson complimented sophomore Sidney Alberts and junior Adrienne Carroll on their hitting - Alberts was 3-for-3 in the first game with a home run and three RBI. Carroll was 2-for-3.

The Wolfpack is off now until Tuesday when it travels to Missoula to play Sentinel and Big Sky. The Bravettes travel to Missoula today for a contest at Hellgate.

"We regroup. I think we have a good shot at beating Hellgate. We're just going to continue to improve and try to get better every week," Severson said.

Glacier 14, Flathead 4

Flathead 020 20 - 4 9 3

Glacier 406 04 - 14 13 2

Sidney Alberts and Jesse Erickson. Jesse Compton, Kendra Bouley (4), Compton (5) and Brittany Franklin. W - Compton. L - Alberts.

Flathead - Alisha Lingle 1-3, Sidney Alberts 3-3, Alexa Mrgich 1-3, Jesse Erickson 0-3, Christyne Hanson 0-2, Meghan Bourassa 0-2, Adrienne Carroll 2-3, Cherise Stivers 0-3, Julia Morrow 1-3.

HR- Alberts. RBI - Alberts 3.

Glacier - Anna Costa 0-1, Shayna Atlee 0-4, Jena Willis 4-4, Brittany Franklin 1-4, Baylee Quay 3-4, Paige Latimer 1-3, Megan Connolly 2-2, Bouley 1-3, Compton 1-3.

HR - Willis, Quay. RBI - Willis 4, Franklin 1, Quay 4,Latimer 1, Connolly 1, Compton 1.

Glacier 20, Flathead 2

Flathead 020 00 - 2 2 1

Glacier 491 6 x - 20 17 1

Alisha Lingle and Kaylee Henderson. Jena Willis and Brittany Franklin. W - Willis (1-1). L - Lingle.

Flathead - Alisha Lingle 0-2, Shayla Tweet 0-2, Alexa Mrgich 1-2, Cassidy Smith 0-2, Adrienne Carroll 0-1, Jesse Erickson 0-1, Kaylee Henderson 1-2, Christyne Hanson 0-1, Meghan Bourassa 0-2, Taylor Twichel 0-2.

Glacier - Anna Costa 2-4, Shayna Atlee 1-2, Jena Willis 2-4, Brittany Franklin 3-3, Baylee Quay 2-2, Paige Latimer 2-3, Megan Connolly 2-3, Kendra Bouley 1-3, Sabrina Kenfield 2-3.

2B - Atlee, Willis, Franklin, Connolly. RBI - Costa 1, Atlee 2, Willis 3, Franklin 3, Latimer 1, Connolly 3, Bouley 1, Kenfield 1.