Softball: Cardiac 'Kats edge Libby

COLUMBIA FALLS — Ashley Trueblood’s walk-off double scored Carlee Brown in the bottom of the eighth inning and Columbia Falls outlasted Libby 2-1 in a Northwestern A conference game Tuesday.

Columbia Falls (7-5 overall, 2-1 Northwestern A) trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh, but Ciarra Holm scored on a wild pitch to force extras and the Wildkats pushed across the winning run one inning later.

“We knew it was going to be a tough game after watching them and we came through big as a team,” Trueblood said. “It took us awhile to get going, but we stepped up at the end.”

The close finish could foreshadow what’s expected to be a tight conference race. Polson and Frenchtown have established themselves as Northwestern A’s top teams midway through the season, meaning the conference’s third and final state tournament berth could come down to Columbia Falls and Libby (3-7, 1-3).

“It was very important for us,” Holm said. “We definitely needed it.”

Libby southpaw Hannah England stifled a potent Columbia Falls offense much of the evening. The Wildkats entered the game with eight starters batting over .300 — three of which were batting over .400 — but they mustered just five hits off England, who allowed one earned run and struck out seven.

“I talked to the girls and they said she was pitching away a lot,” Columbia Falls coach Dave Kehr said. “So we tried to creep up on the plate a little bit. She kept us off balance, she threw changeups, but I don’t think that hurt us so bad. She’s a good pitcher. Doesn’t walk you much. One or two walks is all you’re going to get out of her.”

Trueblood, Columbia Falls’ pitcher, matched England’s prowess in the circle, allowing one earned run on six hits while striking out 10.

“I think both pitchers are pretty comparable in stuff,” Libby coach Dean Thompson said. “They’re both sophomores and I thought they both pitched a good game. We had our opportunities there a couple different times and they made some great plays.”

England retired the side in order in the sixth, but Holm reached on a fielding error to start the seventh. An errant pick-off throw by catcher Devon Gallagher allowed Holm to take second, then she advanced to third on a passed ball. With Winter Kemppainen looking to bunt, England’s pitched soared high off Gallagher’s glove, allowing Holm to score on a wild pitch.

Libby erased a leadoff walk with a double play in the bottom of the eighth, but Brown kept the inning alive for Trueblood with an infield single. The right-handed Trueblood launched the first pitch she saw, an outside fastball, into right-center field, easily scoring the speedy Brown from first.

Trueblood, who finished 2 for 4, said she was just looking for a base hit.

“Just get on base at least and move the runner,” she said.

Libby had a chance to break a scoreless game open in the fourth when it loaded the bases with no outs, but Dayln Germany flew out to short center field and Brown fired a one-hop strike to catcher Breanna Friar, who tagged out Rebecca Kyriss at the plate. Trueblood blew a fastball past Harley Nelson to end the threat with a strikeout.

“Our girls, if they’re running aggressively and they get thrown out, that’s the name of the game,” Thompson said. “That’s a great throw from center field and we got thrown out at home. The ball bounced right there for them.”

Aggressive baserunning benefited Libby in the sixth when Kelsey Klin stole third base after a double and scored on a fielder’s choice, sliding underneath Friar’s tag at the plate to give the Lady Loggers their only run.

Both teams return to the field on Friday. Libby travels to Glacier for a nonconference game while Columbia Falls has a conference matchup at Whitefish.

Libby 000 001 00 — 1 6 1

C-Falls 000 000 11 — 2 5 3

Hannah England and Devon Gallagher. Ashley Trueblood and Breanna Friar, Courtney Murray (7). W - Trueblood. L - England.

LIBBY - England 0-4, Mahalah Wedel 0-4, Rachel Rebo 1-4, Kelsey Klin 2-4, Rebecca Kyriss 1-4, Auria Benefield 1-3, Gallagher 1-3, Dayln Germany 0-3, Harley Nelson 0-3.

COLUMBIA FALLS - Tiffany Hummer 1-3, Carlee Brown 1-4, Trueblood 2-4, Kathrin Jetty 0-3, Ciarra Holm 1-3, Catie King 0-3, Winter Kemppainen 0-3, Madi Fetters 0-3, Alysha Cantu 0-2, Murray 0-0.

2B - Klin; Trueblood. RBI - Benefield; Trueblood.