Loggers roll Flathead

It’s tough to beat the Libby Loggers’ softball team when Hannah England is in the circle.

Spot her four runs in the first inning and she’ll make it difficult to even dream of a comeback.

This was exactly the case at Conrad Complex on Tuesday, as the junior southpaw led the Loggers to a 9-4 nonconference win over the Flathead Bravettes.

The Loggers started off the game by scoring four runs in the first inning and backed up England defensively, as she went on to strikeout 10 Bravettes in the contest.

“She’s our core right there,” Libby head coach Dean Thompson said. “The girls rally behind her. They know she’s going to get the job done for us, and she knows she has a great defense behind her.”

After Flathead senior catcher Kaylee Henderson ripped a double down the third base line in the bottom of the first, scoring center fielder Shayla Tweet from second, the Bravettes wouldn’t record another hit until the sixth inning.

“She’s probably one of the faster pitchers that we’ve seen,” Bravettes head coach Ashley Fusaro said. “It took a little bit for the girls to adjust to her.”

England struck out the side in the second and navigated her way through flawless third inning, as the Loggers continued to grow their lead.

Senior center fielder Kelsey Klin helped her pitcher with an outstanding performance at the plate. Her 3 for 4 effort was highlighted by a powerful solo home run to dead center field in the fourth inning.

“Kelsey continues to hit the ball really well,” Thompson said. “She’s a leader on our team and she’s playing really well, but overall it’s a team effort. Most of the girls had some great hits today. We’re playing really well.”

Klin was joined in the three-hit club by teammate Devon Gallagher.

Gallagher had three base hits and an RBI for the Loggers, who lead 7-1 heading into the bottom of the sixth.

 Trailing by six runs, the Bravettes sparked a rally with the top of their order.

Tweet laid down a bunt for her second infield single of the game. She scored when teammate Iris Matulevich’s grounder to shortstop was overthrown to first base.

Matulevich, who reached third on the overthrow, scored on a sacrifice fly to deep center off the bat of sophomore Kaitlin Torgerson.

The Bravettes continued to threaten Libby, as Henderson drew a walk and reached second on a sacrifice, but England would strike out the next Flathead batter to halt the rally.

Both teams would score once in the seventh.

Although England earned the win, her counterpart was no slouch.

Flathead freshman pitcher Kylee Beccari struck out eight Loggers in her seven innings of work.

“I was really happy with the way we came back at the end of the game. We gave a lot of fight which was nice to see from the girls,” Fusaro said. “I thought Kylee did a nice job moving the ball around and finding what worked for her today.”

“That freshman pitcher is really pitching well for them,” Thompson said. “We knew coming into this game they’ve been so close with a lot of the teams in the state, and we knew it would be a tough game. We kind of jumped on them right away and hit the ball well, which is what we’ve been doing most of the year.”

Flathead will look to rebound during tomorrow’s doubleheader with Missoula Hellgate. First pitch is scheduled 4 p.m.

Libby hosts Glacier tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Libby    410    101    2    —    9    10    1

Flathead    100    002    1    —    4    5    6

Hannah England and Devon Gallagher. Kylee Beccari and Kaylee Henderson. W — England. L — Beccari.

LIBBY — Brooke Rosling 1-2, Mahalah Wedel 1-4, Kelsey Klin 3-4, Devon Gallagher 3-4, Auria Benefield 0-4, Dayln Germany 0-3, Rachel Rebo 0-4, Staci Regh 0-3, Kyra Lauer 1-4, Madisen Monigold 1-1, Taryne Luscher 1-1.

Flathead — Shayla Tweet 2-4, Iris Matulevich 0-3, Kaitlin Togerson 0-2, Kaylee Henderson 1-2, Lynsey Potter 0-1, Cassidy Smith 0-3, Kylee Meredith 1-3, Niea Sutton 0-2, Kylee Beccari 1-3.

2B — Monigold. Henderson. HR — Klin. RBIs — Benefield, Rebo, Gallagher, Klin, Luscher. Henderson, Beccari, Torgerson.