by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
The Bitterroot Valley softball teams of Corvallis, Florence, Hamilton and Stevensville were in Butte on Friday, May 9 and Saturday, May 10 for the LaVerne Combo softball tournament.
This tournament gave the teams a chance to play some different teams from all over the state. Each team played two games on Friday and two games on Saturday.
Postseason softball
The postseason for high school softball begins this week.
Florence hosts the Western B/C Divisionals on May 15-17. The Florence girls are the #1 seed and play on Thursday, May 15.
Corvallis, Hamilton and Stevensville are in the Southwest A Division. The top two teams, Frenchtown and Dillon, get byes into state. The #3 and #4 teams have state play-in games on Saturday, May 17.
Stevensville and Hamilton are fighting for the #3 and #4 seeds. The exact seeding depends on the outcome of their games on Tuesday, May 13 (after press time; look for updates on the Bitterroot Star’s Facebook page).
Whoever gets the #3 seed hosts Libby on Saturday, May 17 and whoever gets the #4 seed plays at Ronan on Saturday, May 17. The winners of the Saturday games go to state, so there’s a chance both Hamilton and Stevensville will make it to state, which is at Columbia Falls on May 22-24.
Hamilton
On Friday, May 9, Hamilton lost to Butte High JV 1-8 in their first game of the LaVerne Combo tournament. For Hamilton, Mel Race went 3 for 3 with an RBI, and Addi Henderson went 1 for 1 and scored a run.
Also on Friday, Hamilton tied Columbus 7-7. For Hamilton, Hadley Lockhart went 1 for 3 with 2 RBIs, Mel Race went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Mariah Johnson went 1 for 3 with an RBI, and Thea Jackson hit a triple.
Hamilton’s Mel Race was the winning pitcher in Hamilton’s 18-3 victory over Corvallis on Tuesday, May 6. Race only allowed 3 hits and struck out 9 batters. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Then on Saturday, Hamilton lost to Lockwood 0-4. Thea Jackson and Mel Race got the only hits for Hamilton.
Also on Saturday, Hamilton lost to Laurel 3-10. For Hamilton, Thea Jackson hit a solo home run, Kennidi Cooper and Coco Vachon each went 2 for 2, and Hayliegh Savage went 1 for 2 with an RBI.
Earlier in the week on Tuesday, May 6, Hamilton defeated Corvallis 18-3. For Hamilton, Casey Kennedy went 3 for 3 with 5 RBIs, Thea Jackson went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, and Coco Vachon went 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs.
Stevensville
On Friday, May 9, Stevensville played Lockwood and lost 0-5 in their first game of the LaVerne Combo tournament. For Stevensville, Jaidan Oyler went 2 for 3 and Morgan Yeager had a double.
Also on Friday, Stevensville defeated Deer Lodge 11-2. For Stevensville, Lilly Newsom went 2 for 4, scored 3 runs and had an RBI, Molly Davis went 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs, Jaidan Oyler went 1 for 3, scored 2 runs and had an RBI, and Aisleigh Lenahan went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Then on Saturday, they lost to Livingston 5-7. For Stevensville, Maddix Yeager went 3 for 3 with a home run and an RBI, Lilly Newsom went 3 for 4 with an RBI, and Jaidan Oyler went 3 for 4 and scored 2 runs.
Also on Saturday, Stevensville defeated Columbus 14-3. For Stevensville, Lilly Newsom went 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs, Maddix Yeager went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, Kenzi Frost went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs, and Emilee Ross went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs.
Earlier in the week on Tuesday, May 6, Stevensville played at Frenchtown and lost 3-4 in a close contest. For Stevensville, Lilly Newsom went 2 for 3 with an RBI, Jaidan Oyler went 1 for 3, scored 2 runs and had an RBI, and Molly Davids went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Corvallis
On Friday, May 9, Corvallis defeated Hardin 8-6 in their first game of the LaVerne Combo tournament. For Corvallis, Libby Jessop went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, Ella Daly went 2 for 4 and scored 2 runs, and Kirsten Race went 1 for 2 with an RBI.
Also on Friday, they lost to Butte High JV 22-17 in a slugfest. For Corvallis, Sophie Cooper went 3 for 3, hit a home run and had 8 RBIs, Ella Daly went 3 for 3 with 2 RBIs, Libby Jessop went 3 for 4 with an RBI, and Caitlin Nelson went 1 for 2, scored 2 runs and had 2 RBIs.
Corvallis’s Caitlin Nelson pitching in the Corvallis/Hamilton game in Hamilton on Tuesday, May 6. Photo by Scott Sacry.
Then on Saturday, they lost to Lockwood 4-11. For Corvallis, Caitlin Nelson went 1 for 1 with 2 RBIs, and Libby Jessop and Brenna Bear each had RBIs.
Also on Saturday, they defeated Deer Lodge 16-1. Corvallis pitcher Brenna Bear got the win. For Corvallis, Sophie Cooper went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs, Ella Daly went 2 for 3 and scored 3 runs, Isabella Cardullo went 1 for 1 with 3 RBIs, and Jossalyn Lendak went 1 for 2 with 2 RBIs.
Earlier in the week Corvallis played at Hamilton and lost 3-18. For Corvallis, Ella Daly went 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs.
Florence
Class B Florence played four solid Class A schools at the Laverne Combo tournament. In their first game on Friday, May 9, they defeated Polson 9-7. For Florence, Ava Philbrick went 2 for 3 with a home run and 2 RBIs, Taylor Pyette went 2 for 2 with a home run and an RBI, Reilley Reed went 2 for 2, and Jaden Fisher hit a solo home run.
Also on Friday, they lost to Billings Central 9-10. For Florence, Maggie Schneiter went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs, Ava Philbrick went 2 for 3 with a home run and an RBI, Jaden Fisher went 2 for 3 with a home run and an RBI, and Kenzy Pickering went 2 for 2 with an RBI.
Then on Saturday, they defeated Havre 7-2. Florence pitcher Kenzy Pickering got the win. For Florence, Maggie Schneiter went 2 for 3 with a home run and an RBI, Lily Bender went 2 for 3 and scored 2 runs, and Kaylee Crawford went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Also on Saturday, they lost to Frenchtown 1-4. Maggie Schneiter had the only hit for Florence.
Earlier in the week on Thursday, May 8, Florence went to Anaconda and won 11-1. Ava Philbrick went 3 for 4 with 3 RBIs, Lily Bender went 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs, Jaden Fisher went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs, and Taylor Pyette went 2 for 3 with an RBI.