Kats can the curse of the Pirates

The curse of the Pirates is over. The Columbia Falls girls softball team downed Polson on April 12 for the first time ever, 8-3. The Wildkats were helped by a stellar pitching performance from freshman Ashley Trueblood, who went the distance and allowed just five hits.

Meanwhile the bats were awake, as the Kats got 10 hits against Polson pitcher Shalaina Duford. Tiffany Hummer, Kathrin Jetty, Erika Nelson and Jordan Lefebvre all had doubles in the win, as the Kats broke open a 3-3 game with five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.

“It was a fun game. They played well, and we kept them off balance,” coach Dave Kehr said. “It was nice to see them come back and play well (after losing to Polson earlier in the season).”

The Kats also swept a doubleheader against Havre on April 14, downing the Blue Ponies 5-1 in the opener and 10-6 in the nightcap.

Trueblood (4-1) held Havre to just one hit over six innings in the first game, while Catie King pitched the seventh in relief.

The game was tied 1-1, but in the bottom of the sixth the Kats came up with some runs to go up 4-0.

Trueblood helped her own cause with a hit that drove in Kathrin Jetty to make it 2-1. Then Tori Price reached base on a bunt that brought Trueblood home to make it 3-1. Shaun Rowe then hit a double with two on base to make it 5-1.

In the final game, the Blue Ponies got to King and were up 6-0 after two innings.

But the Kats poured on 10 runs in the bottom of the fourth to seal the victory, 10-6. Winter Kemppainen pitched in relief.

The Kats (5-1) face Libby and Stevensville at home Friday and Saturday respectively. Varsity game times are 5:30 p.m. and 1 p.m.