Griz softball starts conference play

The Montana softball team, winners of four straight and six of its last nine, will open its Big Sky Conference schedule this weekend with a three-game series at Portland State.

The Grizzlies (6-23) and Vikings (9-16) play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. Mountain at the Gordon Faber Recreation Complex in Hillsboro, Ore., and a single game on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Montana also has a game scheduled at No. 18 Oregon in Eugene on Monday at 1 p.m.

The Grizzlies began the year 0-20, during which time their batting average was .208; since then the average has risen to .229, though Portland State ace pitcher Olivia Grey will be tough to hit.

Four of UM’s wins came in-state, NAIA opponents Carroll College and Providence.

Tuesday Montana swept a doublehead from Providence by scores of 6-4 and 5-1 behind the pitching of freshman Grace Haegele.

In the second game Glacier High product Kynzie Mohl started at catcher, hit cleanup and drove in a run with a first-inning double. Backing up starter Riley Stockton, the sophomore is hitting .192 (5-for-26) in 14 games, six of them starts. Mohl has two doubles and four RBIs. Stockton is hitting 2.55 (14-for-55).

Montana last played the Oregon Ducks in 2021, and is 1-17 all-time against ranked opponents. The lone win came at No. 23 Arkansas, 5-0 in 2020.

Montana, 4-0 at home this season, will host a Big Sky series against Sacramento State April 7-8.