by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
The Class A State softball tournament was in Columbia Falls on May 22-24. Hamilton and Stevensville both qualified and competed.
Hamilton played three games at state. In their first round game they lost to Columbia Falls 2-16. For Hamilton, Mariah Johnson went 2 for 2 and scored a run, Mel Race went 1 for 3 with an RBI, and Hayliegh Savage went 2 for 3.
Then in their second game on Friday morning, Hamilton defeated Havre 10-0. Hamilton pitcher Mariah Johnson struck out 5 batters to get the shutout win. Johnson also went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs from the plate. For Hamilton, Mel Race went 2 for 3, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs. Dawsyn Ekin went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, Hadley Lockhart went 2 for 3 with an RBI, and Kennidi Cooper went 2 for 2 with 2 RBIs.
Finally on Friday, they were defeated by Billings Central 2-12. For Hamilton, Mariah Johnson went 1 for 2 with an RBI, and Coco Vachon and Kennidi Cooper both had a hit and scored a run.
Stevensville played Billings Central in their opening game on Thursday and lost 2-5. For Stevensville, Morgan Yeager hit a 2-run home run. Also for Stevensville, Molly Davids and Lilly Newsom both had hits.
Then on Friday morning, they lost to Dillon 0-9. Stevensville got hits from Olivia Hanson and Emma Tan.