Bravettes, Wolfpack ready for crosstown doubleheader
The Glacier Wolfpack and Flathead Bravettes reignite the crosstown softball rivalry today with a doubleheader at Conrad Complex. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the second game will begin at 5 p.m.
For both schools, the softball season is young, and with two rosters loaded with potential, this crosstown doubleheader could provide the confidence for a successful season as they trudge toward the post season.
The Wolfpack (2-3 Western AA, 2-3-1 overall) are lead by their hard throwing right-handed pitcher, sophomore Ali WIlliams.
Williams has the ability to shut teams down, and as her change up continues to improve her fastball looks that much quicker.
The defense behind Williams is no slouch either.
In last week’s road trip to Helena, the Wolfpack split their doubleheader, losing to Helena Capital 3-1 before defeating Helena High 2-1.
With veterans such as Kayla Russell and Hannah Atlee providing the leather behind their ace, it goes to show that when Williams is on, it’s hard to put runs on the board against the Wolfpack.
Offensively, Glacier is usually lead by Russell, Atlee and Williams, but MacKenzie Brester-Knight stole the show last week in Helena.
Against Capital, the lone Wolfpack run came from a solo homerun from Brester-Knight, and she followed up her performance in the second game with a to for three effort that included a triple.
Glacier is a dangerous team looking for their stride. If they find it, their future looks bright.
The Bravettes (1-3, 2-3) enter the contest with some momentum after routing a tough class A school in Columbia Falls 9-1.
The Flathead bats came alive for 13 hits, and the defense provided solid back up for freshman pitcher Kylee Beccari, who gave up just five hits in her seven innings of work.
After a few losses to open up the season, Bravettes head coach Ashley Fusaro went back to the basics, stressing the fundamentals in practiced. Her team saw the success on the field against the Wildkats.
The routine was no different leading up to today’s crosstown double header.
“We did a lot of similar things that we worked on Monday,” Fusaro said. “We just continued to clean up our defense and continued hitting and practicing moving the ball around.”
Despite battling cold weather, rain delays and cancellations Flathead senior Abbie O’Brien has broken out in the 2014 campaign.
The Bravtettes lead off hitter has six hits in her last three games and one home run on the year.
The shortstop leads the defenscsebacks up an improving pitcher in Beccari who has emerged as the Flathead ace early in her Bravette career, just in time for her first crosstown game.
Glacier has swept the crosstown rivalry in football and both boys and girls basketball, not that there is any motivation needed for the Bravettes.
“It’s always exciting an crosstown game,” Fusaro added. “The girls always get a little more pumped. (Today) is gonna be no different. We’re ready to go at them. Crosstown alkways adds a little more excitement.”
Without a junior on the squad the Bravettes look to their six seniors to lead an freshmen heavy squad into the contest.
“(Glacier) is a great coached team and they hit the ball well and have a great returning pitcher,” Fusaro said. “I feel like, with are experience, our seniors, we’ll match up pretty well with them.”