Huge fourth inning propels Wolfpack over Hellgate
Glacier broke through for 18 runs in the fourth inning to take down Missoula Hellgate 27-3 in a Western AA softball clash that was shortened to five innings by run rule on senior day at Glacier High School.
“Both of our seniors batted 1.000,” Glacier coach Abby Connolly said.
Alivia Atlee and Meg Hornby, who were honored in a pregame ceremony, combined to go 5 for 5. Hornby tallied four RBIs.
The Wolfpack (9-6 overall, 6-5 Western AA) scored in each at-bat, but much of the damage was done in the second and fourth innings.
Hallie Nikunen, who led Glacier with four hits on the day, cleared the bases with a three-run triple in the second, and Allee Meyer added a two-run single in the seven-run frame.
The hits and runs then came in a flood two innings later.
Sophie Smith hit a two-run home run, the first of her career. Kira Barney delivered off the bench with a two-run double. Pinch-hitter Emma Ritter followed suit with a two-run double of her own. Sage Vanterpool, Glacier’s starting pitcher, helped herself with yet another two-run double.
“They just stayed patient,” Connolly said. “They hit the ball really well.”
Vanterpool pitched all five innings, allowing four hits and striking out seven.
Glacier travels to Frenchtown for a nonconference matchup with the Class A power at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Hellgate 120 00 — 3 4 2
Glacier 171 (18)x — 27 21 1
WP — Sage Vanterpool. LP — Haleigh Irwin.
HELLGATE — Elise Marquardt 1-3, Kathryn Shipley 2-2, Morelander 0-1, Dreayla Haran 0-2, Khasidy Hodge 0-2, Cailey Kirsch 1-2, Jaiden Resner 0-2, Andrea Lee 0-0, Freshour 0-1, Haleigh Irwin 0-2, Bella Stratt 0-2.
GLACIER — Kynzie Mohl 0-2, Halle Schroeder 1-3, Addie Labrum 2-2, Sophie Smith 2-4, Kira Barney 1-1, Alivia Atlee 2-2, Avery Andersen 1-1, Allee Meyer 1-3, Olivia Thomas 1-1, Maddie Johnson 0-4, Emma Ritter 1-1, Hallie Nikunen 4-4, Jenn Wallace 1-1, Sage Vanterpool 1-2, Emma Anderson 0-1, Meg Hornby 3-3.
2B — Barney, Vanterpool, Hornby. 3B — Labrum. HR — Smith. RBI — Shipley 2, Kirsch. Schroeder 3, Labrum 2, Smith 2, Barney 2, Atlee, Meyer 2, Thomas, Ritter 2, Nikunen 4, Wallace, Vanterpool 2, Hornby 4.
Polson 14, Flathead 3
POLSON — Kaelyn Smith hit two inside-the-park home runs, both to the left-field corner, in the first inning alone to spark a Polson rout of Flathead.
Smith also tripled twice to cap off her 4 for 4 evening.
Quinn Motichka, Josie Caye, Kaylanna DesJarlais, Laurel Bitterman and Paige Noyes chipped in two hits apiece for the Pirates (9-4 overall, 5-0 Northwest A).
“The bats were very, very lively today,” Polson coach Larry Smith said.
Kaelyn Smith now has three home runs this season.
Polson travels to Browning at 6 p.m. today.
Flathead 003 00 — 3 5 2
Polson 833 0x — 14 16 2
Karissa Comer, Maitlynn Betts (2) and Kate Smith; Vanessa Kent and Kaylanna DesJarlais. W — Kent (9-4). L — Comer.
FLATHEAD — Riley Chouinard 0-2, Kayla Kallis 1-3, Kaileigh Denna 1-2, Hailey Junk 1-2, Comer 0-1, Betts 2-2, Haylee Learn 0-2, Allyssa Cadwalader 0-3, Smith 0-2, Kyann Devera 0-2.
POLSON — Kaelyn Smith 4-4, Marina Mayorga 1-4, Quinn Motichka 2-3, Josie Caye 2-3, Kaylanna DesJarlais 2-3, Laurel Bitterman 2-3, Paige Noyes 2-3, Olivia Perez 0-3, Lisa Costilla 1-3.
2B—Motichka, Caye (2), Bitterman, Noyes (2); 3B—Smith (2), Motichka, Bitterman; HR—Smith (2); RBIs—Smith (3), Mayorga, Caye (3), Bitterman (3), Noyes (3), Costilla.