The Lady Broncs could not get past the defending state champion Belgrade Panthers, the only team to beat them in the regular season, in the undefeated game and then in the championship game. Belgrade topped Hamilton, 7-2, for the state title. Key to the Panthers’ success throughout the tournament was the pitching of Erin Elgas. She was in the circle for both games against Hamilton.
Hayley Hudgins was the pitcher for the Lady Broncs and held Belgrade to the least amount of runs in the tournament. Kelsie Meis had two hits while Sophia Doyle, Tessa Della Silva and Maggie Ringer each had one. Abby Johnson and Hudgins each had an RBI in their second place finish.
Hamilton opened against Libby with Sky Lopez pitching. Caitlin Dillon had a home run and a triple. She drove in three runners. Meis had a double and Mallory McGill had two hits as did Abby Johnson. Hudgins, Ringer and Mikayln Brickley each had RBIs.
That win put Hamilton into the undefeated game against Belgrade on Saturday morning. Belgrade knocked in four runs in the first inning and went on to win, 11-1. Lopez was the pitcher for the Lady Broncs. McGill had a double in the game and Della Silva had an RBI.
Hamilton then had to play Frenchtown for a chance at the championship game. The tournament was on Frenchtown’s home field but that didn’t stop the Lady Broncs. Jorden Taggart took the circle to pitch for the Lady Broncs. Hamilton quickly put two runs on the scoreboard and went on to score nine in the 9-4 win. The team just gutted it out, one pitch at a time. McGill and Della Silva had two hits and Hudgins and Ringer each had doubles. Hudgins had two RBIs and Dillon, Della Silva, McGill and Ringer all had RBIs.