Crosstown softball season finale pivotal for postseason

The final regular season crosstown softball doubleheader takes place today at Kidsports Complex as the Flathead Bravettes and Glacier Wolfpack battle for bragging rights.

This is also the final regular season game for both schools, and with the post-season right around the corner, a monumental win could mean an extended run in the state tournament.

The season’s first crosstown match-up, a doubleheader at Conrad Complex, was swept by Glacier in triumphant fashion. The Wolfpack won both games by eight runs.

The Bravettes did contest the Wolfpack; Flathead led in both games, including a five-run first inning in game two, but they were ultimately doomed by big innings from Glacier.

In the first game, the Wolfpack trailed 2-1 in the third before tallying three doubles in the fifth for five runs.

Glacier (9-7-1 overall, 6-5 league) chipped away at the five-run deficit in game two until they broke through in the fourth, scoring nine runs punctuated by a three-run homer from Tacey Howe to put the game out of reach.

Flathead (4-14 overall, 2-11 league) is coming off a tough 13-4 loss to Missoula Hellgate.

Senior catcher Kaylee Henderson hit her fourth home run of the year and sophomore shortstop Abbie O’Brien went 2 for 4 to lead the Bravettes.

“Kaylee has come up with some big hits this year,” Flathead coach Ashley Fusaro said. “Abbie is our leadoff hitter, and she does a great job getting on base and stealing bases. We always look to get her on early and score her whenever we can.”

In the circle, Kylee Beccari and Niea Sutton are two freshmen pitchers that have seen a lot of innings this year.

Beccari tossed a three-hitter in a 9-1 victory over Columbia Falls earlier this season for one of her top performances, and when she finds herself in a jam, Sutton has been consistent relief for the Bravettes.

“(Kylee) is a tough kid, and she’s always looking to move the ball around and keep hitters off balance,” Fusaro added. “Those two are a nice mix-up. They do a really good job of complimenting each other.

“We’re looking at the season coming to the end here, and we’re looking to put both the offense and defense together heading into the post season.”

Glacier’s most recent contest was a narrow 2-1 victory over Columbia Falls.

Wolfpack leadoff hitter Taylor Riggles hit her third homer of the year, and Tacey Howe’s sacrifice fly scored Anna Jenks in the final inning for the win.

Ali Williams was in the circle for Glacier. As usual, Williams didn’t give the opposing line up much hope.

She kept the Wildkats at bay with 11 strike outs and scattered four hits throughout her seven innings of work.

Williams, a sophomore, hits in the Wolfpack’s clean-up spot and had five hits in the first crosstown doubleheader this year.

The first game of today’s doubleheader, a Western AA contest, is scheduled for 3 p.m., with the second tabbed as a nonconference match-up at 5.