Ladies fall to Wildkats in defensive struggle

By DAVID ERICKSON / Whitefish Pilot

It was a much better showing for the Whitefish High School softball club this time against Columbia Falls. When the two teams met earlier in the season, the Wildkats blew the Lady Bulldogs out of the water, 12-0.

On Tuesday evening, however, the green n' gold gals came out ready to play. The game was short on offense, as both teams worked their way out of jams and both pitchers were on point.

Despite giving the Wildkats a scare in the final inning, the Lady Bulldogs just couldn't get on the board and fell 0-2.

Senior left-handed pitcher Torey Ost had seven strike-outs for the Lady Bulldogs, allowing just five hits. Whitefish actually out-hit the Wildkats, 8-5, but they were just unable to capitalize when they needed.

Adele FauntLeRoy had a nice game for Whitefish with two hits, going 2-for-4. Hailey Mortensen went 2-for-3, and Taylor Ybarra-Brunty went 2-for-3 as well. Kristi Whisler and Camille Williams each had one hit.

It was Ybarra-Brunty who got on base first in the seventh inning, when the Lady Bulldogs had their backs against the wall. She led off with an infield hit, and Whisler singled with a bunt to send Ybarra-Brunty to second. Adele FauntLeRoy then sent a one-out single flying in the dirt between the shortstop and third base. Ybarra-Brunty was apparently waved past third base, and the Wildkats easily took her out at home.

The Lady Bulldogs had a fantastic defensive performance, committing only one error. Several diving catches and quick outs highlighted the game.

The Lady Bulldogs (3-3, 3-5) travel to Frenchtown for a tournament this weekend.

Columbia Falls 100 010 0 — 2 5 0

Whitefish 000 000 0 — 0 8 1

Drew Walter and Amber James. Torey Ost and Desiree Clarke. W — Walter. L — Ost.

COLUMBIA FALLS (6-2, 4-2) — Renae Nelson 0-4, Tia Yaeger 1-3, Amanda Milliard 0-0, James 1-4, Walter 1-2, Lindsay Nelson 1-3, Cassidee Skiles 0-3, Morgan Rowe 0-3, Cedar Smith 1-3.

WHITEFISH (3-5, 3-3) — Adele FauntLeRoy 2-4, T. Ost 0-4, Clarke 0-3, Shannon Holmes 0-3, Hailey Mortensen 2-3, Devyn Ost 0-2, Taylor Ybarra-Brunty 2-3, Kristi Whisler 1-3, Camillie Williams 1-2, Shelbi Long 0-1.

RBIs — CF 1 (James), WF 0. SB — CF 2 (Tessa Cowan, James), WF 0. SAC — CF 0, WF 0.