AA State Softball: Williams hurls Glacier by Bison
MISSOULA — Ali Williams struck out 13 batters and the Glacier girls rolled to an 11-2 victory over Great Falls High in the opening round of the Class AA state softball tournament on Thursday.
Williams held the Bison to four hits, surrendering only a pair of solo home runs in the fourth inning in a nearly flawless outing for the Wolfpack.
“She pitched great,” Glacier coach Andy Fors said. “That first game for us, after the two week layoff, it was all about coming out and being ready to go from the beginning. She started us off with some great momentum.”
The Glacier bats weren’t shy either, scoring four runs in the second inning and another five in the fifth, spreading out nine hits in the contest. Christine Connolly was 3 for 3 from the plate with an RBI and Williams picked up a pair of RBIs in the victory.
“It was nice for us to be able to get runs early and continue that throughout the game,” Fors said.
Glacier will play defending state champion Billings West at 10 a.m. today in the second round. West beat Helena Capital 1-0 on a strong outing from pitcher Ashley Davis.
“We haven’t had the opportunity to face them this season,” Fors said of the Golden Bears. “We have had the opportunity to watch them a couple times.
“They’re a good team offensively and defensively. We have to make sure we’re solid defensively and taking advantage of any offensive opportunities we have and we should be good.”
Great Falls High 000 200 0 — 2 4 NA
Glacier 041 051 x — 11 9 NA
Marina LaRocque, Hannah Schafer (5) and CJ Konesky. Ali Williams and Christine Connolly.
GREAT FALLS HIGH (12-12) – McKenzie Staats 0-3, Tierney Weinholz 0-3, Konesky 1-3, Mari Held 0-3, Schafer 1-3, LaRocque 2-3, Bailey Ferda 0-3, Bailey Durnell 0-2, Erin Hocker 0-2.
GLACIER (19-3) – Williams 0-2, Kayla Russell 2-2, Erin McHugh 0-4, Kayleena Ikeda 1-3, Alivia Atlee 0-3, Mackenzie Brester-Knight 1-3, Connolly 3-3, Christina DuFour 1-3, Katie Wiley 0-3, Anna Schrade 1-1.
3B – Schrade. HR – Konesky, Schafer. RBI – Konesky, Schafer, Williams 2, Russell 3, Brester-Knight, Connolly, DuFour, Wiley.
Other First Round Games
Great Falls CMR 6, Helena High 0
Helena 000 000 0 — 0 3 1
CMR 113 100 x — 6 11 2
Terra Gilchrist and Jordan Hinman. Quinn Hartman and Katie Huisman. WP – Hartman. LP – Gilchrist.
HELENA HIGH – Tylar Holland 1-3, Hailey Crawford 0-4, Emma Meredith 0-2, Erin Emanuel 0-1, Hinman 0-3, Anna Fischer 1-3, Taryn Holland 0-3, Ashley Nash 1-3, Abby Romine 0-3.
C.M. RUSSELL – Savanna Voyles 0-2, Laura Poitra 1-4, Myla Robbins 1-4, Courtney Schroeder 3-3, Hartman 2-3, Huisman 1-3, McCall Enott 3-4, Brenna Bushard 0-2, Caitlin Soltesz 0-3.
2B – Poitra. HR – Enott. RBI – Schroeder, Huisman 2, Enott 3.
Helena Capital 000 000 0 — 0 5 2
Billings West 000 001 x — 1 6 2
WP - Ashley Davis, LP - Brittany Smith.
CAPITAL (15-8) - Smith 1-3, McKenzie Johnston 1-3, Sydney Ladas 1-3, Jaley Priddy 0-3, Taylor Mathews 0-3, Emily Hill 0-3, Shelby VanHemelryck 0-3, Jade Turner 0-1, Caroline Rosling 2-2, Madi Quick 0-3, Shaina Silvonen 0-0,
WEST (20-4) - Lexi Mayhood 0-3, Cody Rogers 1-3, Mackenzie Mayhood 1-3, Kendyl Boltz 2-3, Erin Watterud 0-3, Mehgan Dahlquist 0-2, Kylee Koch 2-2, Ashley Davis 0-2, Kelly Brotzel 0-2.
2B - Rosling; RBIs - None.
Missoula Big Sky 9, Butte
Game Box Not Available
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Today’s Schedule
Loser-out games
Noon
Great Falls vs. Helena Capital
Helena High vs. Butte
Championship Bracker
10 a.m.
Glacier vs. Billings West
C.M. Russell vs. Missoula Big Sky