Bravettes, Big Sky battle for state softball berth

One thing is for certain - it will be close.

When Flathead tangles with Missoula Big Sky today in a Western AA best of three softball playoff series, the margin of victories will be tight.

At least that's been the case in their regular-season meetings.

The two schools have meet three times with Flathead prevailing in two - 2-1 and 15-12. Both teams played several JV players in the high-scoring contest.

Big Sky won the other conference meeting 1-0. The Eagles benefitted in that contest on an overthrow by the Bravettes.

Flathead also had two costly base running errors in that loss.

"I should be a good match-up," Flathead coach Tim Severson said.

"It will come down to who plays tight defense and who gets those timely hits."

Game times today are 1/3/5 p.m. at Big Sky. The winner advances to the Class AA state tournament in Billings May 26-28.

"They are capable of hitting the ball," Severson said of Big Sky.

"They can score a bunch of runs. They beat Glacier twice."

Flathead standout pitcher Sidney Alberts, who missed the regular-season final versus Glacier because of a shoulder injury, is expected to start Game 1 today.

"She will try," Severson said.

"We've been nursing her along. She's not 100 pecent, but she's a competitor."

Alberts held Big Sky scoreless through six inning in the 2-1 victory. The Eagles finished with just seven hits.

Alberts held Big Sky to just four hits in the 1-0 loss.

Flathead finished Western AA with a 5-7 record. That gave the Bravettes the No. 5 seed.

Big Sky finished as the fourth seed.

"It's time to get back to state," Severson said.

"We've been gone for the last three years. Were due."