Libby softball sweeps; Troy stumbles

Libby Logger softball got off to a strong start, easily winning a pair Saturday against Butte Central and Anaconda in Polson.

Libby opened the season with a 14-4 shellacking of Anaconda. The Lady Loggers scored four runs in the top of the first. Two-run second and third innings earned a hefty lead for Libby and stellar pitching by Hannah England made for smooth sailing. Rachel Rebo and Staci Regh led a 14-hit barrage by the Libby offense with three-hits apiece.

Libby 4, Butte Central 0:

At Libby, starting pitcher Hannah England spun seven innings of two-hit ball. England also went 3-4 while batting leadoff. Auria Benefield recorded two RBIs.

“We picked up two wins against two strong opponents,” Libby Coach Dean Thompson said. “The bats came out and did well throughout the lineup. Defensively we have a bit of work to do, but for only two weeks of practice we did well.”

The Lady Loggers committed seven errors during the weekend. A pair of Idaho schools, Sandpoint and Timberlake, travel to Libby for a doubleheader starting noon Saturday.

Plains 15, Troy 0:

At Plains, the Lady Trojans managed only two hits in their Saturday season-opener. Singles by catcher Brianna Garrison and outfielder Cheyenne Jordan was all Troy could muster against Plains pitcher Tia Thompson. Thompson struck out nine Lady Trojans and smacked an RBI triple.

Plains 30, Troy 6:

The scoreboard may have read 24-0, but the Lady Trojan offense came to life in the bottom of the fourth inning, recording six runs in the second game of a doubleheader.

Second baseman Baylee Burk went 2-3, and each of the six through nine batters in the Troy lineup recorded an RBI.

Troy will travel to Drummond for a doubleheader beginning noon Saturday.