by Scott Sacry, Sports Editor
Both the Hamilton and Stevensville softball teams qualified for state as both teams won their state play-in games on Saturday, May 17. Stevenville defeated Ronan 7-0, while Hamilton defeated Libby 3-1. The Class A State Softball Tournament is at Columbia Falls on May 22-24. Hamilton plays Columbia Falls on Thursday, May 22 at 11 a.m., while Stevensville plays Billings Central on Thursday, May 22 at 1 p.m.
Hamilton
Hamilton hosted the #4 seed from the Northwest, Libby, on Saturday, May 17, in a state play-in game and won 3-1. Hamilton pitchers Mel Race and Mariah Johnson combined to only allow 3 hits. For Hamilton, Dawsyn Ekin went 2 for 2 with an RBI, Thea Jackson went 1 for 4 with an RBI, and Coco Vachon went 1 for 3 with an RBI.
Earlier in the week, Hamilton played at Dillon on Tuesday, May 13, and clinched the #3 seed in the Southwest with a 19-6 win. For Hamilton, Hayliegh Savage was, well, savage, going 3 for 4, scoring 4 runs and driving in 4 RBIs. Kennidi Cooper went 3 for 5 with 2 RBIs, Thea Jackson went 2 for 5 with 3 RBIs, and Hadley Lockhart went 2 for 3 with an RBI.
Stevensville
Stevensville played at Ronan, the Northwest’s #3 seed, in a state play-in game on Saturday, May 17 and won 7-0. This is the first time Stevi softball has gone to state since 2019. Stevensville pitcher Morgan Yeager struck out 9 batters and allowed 3 hits to get the shutout win. Yeager also went 3 for 3 with an RBI at the plate. For Stevensville, Molly Davids went 3 for 3 with 4 RBIs, Jaidan Oyler went 3 for 4 with an RBI, and Lilly Newsom went 2 for 3 and scored 3 runs.
The Stevensville Softball Team won a conference play-in game against Ronan to advance to state, the first time since 2019. Photo courtesy of Lilly Newsom.
Earlier in the week, on Tuesday, May 13, Stevensville hosted Frenchtown and lost 2-4. For Stevensville, Molly Davids went 2 for 4 with a solo home run and Jaidan Oyler went 1 for 3 and scored a run.