Softball team thumped by Pirates and Maidens

Hungry Horse News

The Wildkats got off to a rough start in their first two games.

Polson, the defending state champions, scored seven runs in the second inning and cruised to a 11-0 victory against Columbia Falls at home Thursday. The Northwestern A Conference game only lasted in five innings.

On Tuesday at home, Columbia Falls (0-2) had 11 errors and lost 13-5 against Ronan.

In Thursday's game, Polson pitcher Dylen Zetterburg shut down the Kats. Columbia Falls had just one hit.

"We need to work on hitting because that's what we struggled with the most," Columbia Falls senior Amanda Puryer said.

Senior Kym Island pitched for the Kats. Polson batters continually made contact on her pitches and the Columbia Falls defense fielded poorly. The Kats had eight errors.

Columbia Falls was playing in its first game and had not had not practiced outside much due to cold weather. It showed.

Puryer said the team was nervous as it opened against such strong team, but would gain more confidence with experience.

"The first game jitters are over," Puryer said.

The jitters may have been over against Ronan, but that didn't help the Kats much.

Island pitched again. She had a fairly solid game, walking just two batters and allowing four hits.

But she had no protection behind her as the Kats committed a rash of errors.

Columbia Falls was shaky at the plate, too, and had only three hits.

Puryer, Jenny Johnson and Vanesha Riley had hits for Columbia Falls.

In junior varsity action, the Wildkats lost to Polson 11-0.

Columbia Falls' next game is at home Thursday at 4 p.m. against Eureka.

The Kats also compete at Havre Saturday and then at Browning Tuesday.

PIRATES 11, WILDKATS 0

Polson 2 5 3 1 0 11 6 1

Columbia Falls 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 6

MAIDENS 13, WILDKATS 5

Ronan 3 1 2 0 0 7 0 13 4 4

Columbia Falls 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 5 3 11