by Scott Sacry
The Florence softball team opened their season in dominating fashion last week, going 4-0 and winning by a combined score of 74-6. The Lady Falcons have won four of the last six state titles in Class B/C softball. Florence lost out of the state tournament last year after winning back-to-back state titles in 2021 and 2022.
Florence 26, Deer Lodge 2; Florence 17, Deer Lodge 1
On Tuesday, April 9th, the Lady Falcons went to Deer Lodge for a double hitter. They won the first game 26-2 and the second 17-1. In the first game, they scored 18 runs in the 1st inning and the game only lasted 3 innings. Florence pitcher Kenzy Pickering got the win, striking out 4 and allowing 1 hit. Offensively, Taylor Pyette went 3 of 4 and had a whopping 8 RBIs. Maggie Schneiter went 2 for 2, hit a home run, stole 3 bases and scored 4 runs, and Jayden Fisher and Kaylee Crawford each had 2 RBIs.
In the second game, Florence won 17-1 in 4 innings. Florence’s Jayden Fisher got the win, striking out 4 and allowing 1 hit. At the plate, Olivia Coulter hit a 3-run home run, Ava Philbrick went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs, and Lily Bender, Hailey Sutton and Jayden Fisher each had an RBI.
Florence 19, Plains 3
On Friday, April 12th, Florence defeated Plains 19-3 at Fort Missoula in 2 ½ innings – they scored 17 runs in the 2nd inning alone. Florence pitcher Autumn Sutton got the win. At the plate, Reiley Reed hit a triple and had 3 RBIs, and Lily Bender, Ava Philbrick, Jayden Fisher, Taylor Pyette each had a hit and an RBI.
Florence 12, MAC 0
Also on Friday at Fort Missoula, Florence defeated rival MAC 12-0. Florence pitcher Kenzy Pickering was masterful on the mound; she struck out 8 and didn’t allow a hit or a run. At the plate for Florence, Ava Philbrick went 2 for 4 with a home run and 2 RBIs, Olivia Coulter went 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 RBIs, Lily Bender went 1 for 3 and had 2 RBIs, and Taylor Pyette went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs.
Softball Roundup
Corvallis 21, Stevensville 13
Stevensville hosted Corvallis on Thursday, April 11th and Corvallis won 21-13 in a shootout. At the plate for Corvallis, Jadyn Greenwood went 3 for 5 with a home run and 3 RBIs, Emma Cashell went 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs, Sophie Cooper went 4 for 6 with 4 RBIs, and Makaia McEwen went 3 for 5 with 5 RBIs.
Offensively for Stevensville, Lilly Newsom went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs, Maddy Davids went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Maddix Yeager went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Layla Brushia went 2 for 5 with 1 RBI, and Kenzi Frost went 2 for 4.
Corvallis 13, Butte Central 12
Corvallis hosted Butte Central on Friday, April 12th and won 13-12. Corvallis pitcher Ella Daly got the win. Offensively for Corvallis, Emma Cashell went 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs, and Jadyn Greenwood, Ava Loran, and Ella Daly all went 3 for 4 with an RBI.
Stevensville 4, Frenchtown 15
Stevensville hosted Frenchtown on Saturday, April 13th and lost 4-15. At the plate for Stevensville, Maddy Davids went 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs, Jaidan Oyler went 1 for 3 with an RBI, Kacey Springer went 1 for 2 with an RBI, and Lilly Newsom went 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs.
Hamilton 6, Frenchtown 8
Hamilton traveled to Frenchtown on Tuesday, April 9th and lost their first game of the season 6-8. For Hamilton, Addison Flynn went 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs, Cierra Cole went 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Mariah Johnson went 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs.
Hamilton 12, Butte Central 0
Hamilton hosted Butte Central on Friday, April 12th and won 12-0. Hamilton pitcher Mel Race got the win, allowing only 1 hit and striking out 6. Offensively for Hamilton, Cierra Cole went 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs, Mel Race went 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs, and Haylee Beall went 1 for 4 with an RBI.