Softball Wildkats fare well in Polson

This weekend in the Polson ASA Splash Classic the traveling team from Columbia Falls won their second tournament trophy in two weeks. The team, composed of 13 and 14-year-old girls who competed in the Columbia Falls Youth Softball Association recreational league, were competing in their second tournament this year. The competition this week included all-star teams who have played in up to 10 tournaments already this year, and who have played together since they were 10 Us from Missoula, Great Falls, Helena, Kalispell, Polson, Libby and Frenchtown.

This being the Wildkats first season together, and second week of playing competitively made the third-place trophy especially rewarding. Their only losses were to the first place Bad Girls, who play year round, and won the state tournament - the Northwest Regional - and went to the national tournament last year. The Wildkats also lost to the Libby Loggers who have four starters from their high school varsity team, including the high school's starting pitcher, catcher, and third baseman.

The highlights for the team included beating the Polson Pirates for third place by a score of 12-8. The Kats scored more runs against Polson than any team in the tournament. They were tied against Polson 0-0 before they scored eight runs in the fifth inning, and ended up winning 8-0. Against Great Falls Select, the Kats were down 9-3 in the top of the last inning before rallying for eight runs, and winning 11-9.

Against the Heat #1 team they won a squeaker in the full seven innings by a score of 9-8, scoring the go ahead run in the top of the seventh and then shutting down the bats of the Heat in the bottom of the inning.

The outstanding player of the tournament for the Kats was Amber James. Her bat was on fire. She hit three key home runs, each one clearing the fence.

The second one was against the Heat and was hit to dead center field. James batted 18 times and reached base 11 times. Drew Walter handled most of the pitching chores with relief pitching by Amanda Milliard.

Catching most of the games was James with relief from Cedar Smith. Kayla Stinger, Shay Grilley, Milliard, Smith and Walter also provided key hits. Crossing home plate the most was Grilley and James each with seven.

Sam Connor who was successful on all nine steal attempts provided speed on the bases. Key defensive plays at shortstop in the big win against the Lakers for the third place trophy were made by Milliard with six assists.

The 14-U Wildkat's next tournament will be in two weeks when they complete in the Kalispell Glacier Emerald Tournament.