The Florence softball team is back in a familiar position – hoisting a championship trophy in the Western B Divisionals. Although the Lady Falcons haven’t been as dominant this year compared to year’s past, the reigning state champions played their best when it mattered the most, beating rival Mission/Arlee/Charlo (MAC) 9-3 to take the Divisional title in Anaconda on Saturday, May 20th.
Florence defeated Plains 14-5 in their 1st round game on Thursday, May 18. Olivia Coulter went 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs. Then on Friday, they defeated Thompson Falls 13-3. Rylee Yeoman went 2 for 3 with a home run and 6 RBIs. Then later on Friday, Florence defeated MAC 12-9 in the undefeated semifinal game. Ava Philbrick went 2 for 4 and Hailey Sutton went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs.
MAC then defeated Manhattan to get into the Saturday final. Florence lost the first game 7-10, forcing a second game. In the second game, Florence was all business and defeated MAC 9-3 to claim the division championship. In the second MAC game, Florence’s Kenzy Pickering pitched a complete game for the win. Rylee Yeoman went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, Elise Schneiter went 3 for 3, and Maggie Schneiter went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs.
The Class B/C State softball tournament is in Anaconda on May 25-27. Florence is the West’s #1 seed and plays the East’s #4 seed, Huntley Project, on Thursday, May 25th, at 4 p.m.