Glacier riding six-game winning streak to state softball tourney

The Glacier Wolfpack softball team practiced for more than an hour in the rain earlier this week.

The way the Wolfpack coaches figure, the forecast is rain for this week in Billings.

"We might as well get used to it," said Glacier coach Joel Bemis.

Glacier takes on Eastern AA No. 2 Butte at 2 p.m. today at Stewart Park in Billings. If the Wolfpack wins, it will play 10 a.m. Friday against the winner of Helena Capital and Billings Senior. A loss would put them into a noon game on Friday against the loser of that game.

"Everybody is ready to go. Everbody is healthy. Our girls are excited about it and we've played pretty well lately.

"They want to go compete and win some games," he said.

The Wolfpack is riding a six-game winning streak, dating back its April 30 win over Helena High. Since then, it has beaten the likes of Northwestern A powers Polson and Libby, as well as Western AA Flathead and Missoula Hellgate.

Sophomore Jena Willis leads the team in batting average at .481. But just a tick behind her is senior Baylee Quay at .479. Catcher Brittany Franklin and rightfielder Megan Connolly are also right there.

"They've kept us in ballgames," the coach said of the offense of those four.

The Wolfpack has set goals every season, Bemis said.

The first was just to get to the state tournament, then to compete, win a game.

"The next goal we've talked about, we want to play on Saturday.

"But we've got to get Butte first," he said.

"Their pitching is solid. They are well-coached. (The Bulldogs) don't make many mistakes and they make you pay for your mistakes," Bemis said.

"We have to play clean defense and hit the ball. (In recent days) we've played very clean defense and we've hit the ball in a timely manner. If we can play like we have the last few games ...

"We know when we play well we can compete with anyone," the coach said.