Lady Loggers third in state softball
The Libby Lady Loggers ended their softball season on a 4-2 loss to Belgrade in Polson on Saturday. The loss secured third place for Libby at the Class A state tournament.
Libby trailed 2-0 in the top of the third, but the game was tied going into the bottom of the fifth, when Belgrade scored two more runs. Kelsey Klin’s solo homer put an impressive cap on the senior’s career.
The Lady Loggers (20-7) beat Belgrade twice this season. Pitcher Hannah England held Belgrade to two hits earlier in the tournament during a 2-1 victory.
“We didn’t hit well after the Hamilton game,” Libby Coach Dean Thompson said. “Belgrade hit well and got us. Kelsey Klin had a nice homer and recorded an outfield assist, too. Staci Regh and Mahalah Wedel hit well as well.”
Reflecting on a state tournament run that saw his team go undefeated during the first two days of competition, Thompson said his team had a great weekend. Northwestern A conference foe Frenchtown claimed the state tournament behind powerhouse pitcher Morgan Ray.
“To only lose to the top two teams in state, and to have beat one of them twice this year, that’s pretty good,” Thompson said. “I told the girls nobody thought we would be third in conference, or state, after going 10-11 last season. I want to thank our coaches. Jeremy Hageness is like a second coach, and Ruth Fenn is the mama of the team. And, of course, I want to thank the fans for being the best in the northwest region.”
Libby 001 100 0 – 2 2 2
Belgrade 020 020 x – 4 3 0
LIBBY – Madisen Monigold 0-1, Hannah England 0-3, Mahalah Wedel 1-3, Devon Gallagher 0-3, Kelsey Klin 0-2, Auria Benefield 0-2, Dayln Germany 0-2, Rachel Rebo 0-1, Staci Regh 0-2, Abby Ennenga 0-1, Brooke Rosling 0-1.
BELGRADE – Kristina West 0-1, Skyla Neubauer 1-3, Jordan Branch 0-3, Autumn Rollins 0-3, Ali Alstrom 0-3, Rylee Cygan 1-2, Kindall Bethke 0-3, Judy Taylor 0-2, Hannah Goulet 0-2.
Frenchtown 11, Libby 2
At Polson, Libby fell to eventual champion Frenchtown on Saturday.
The game was tight through five innings, with Libby trailing 3-2. But Frenchtown broke out for four runs in the sixth and another four in the seventh to push them into the championship game.
“It was a good game,” Thompson said. “Frenchtown is possibly the best team in state this season. They’re a powerhouse team.”
Frenchtown 201 004 4 – 11 10 2
Libby 002 000 0 – 2 5 2
LIBBY – Madisen Monigold 1-4, England 0-3, Mahalah Wedel 1-3, Gallagher 3-3, Kelsey Klin 0-3, Auria Benefield 0-2, Dayln Germany 0-2, Rachel Rebo 0-3, Staci Regh 0-3, Jordan Turner 0-1, Abby Ennenga 0-1.
FRENCHTOWN – Kayla Blood 1-4, Josie Anderson 2-4, Ray 3-3, Vanessa Stavish 1-4, Keegan Wickman 0-2, Krista Hebnes 2-4, Brooke Yarnall 1-4, Prather 0-3, Emma Pyron 0-3, Laci Willett 0-1.
Libby 4, Hamilton 0
At Polson, the Lady Loggers cruised behind the dominant arm of junior pitcher Hannah England, who struck out 16 batters while spinning a no-hitter.
Catcher Devon Gallagher went 3-for-3 at the plate, including a 2-RBI double in the three-run third inning. Wedel and Regh also recorded two hits apiece.
Hamilton 000 000 0- 0 0 0
Libby 003 010 x- 4 8 1
HAMILTON – Sydney Bergren 0-3, McKayl Rothie 0-2, Taylor Goligoski 0-3, Clifford 0-3, Kloie Nye 0-1, Lacey Dolcater 0-1, Tayler Reynolds 0-2, Lauren Dolcater 0-3, Shaylan Mohn 0-3.
LIBBY – Madisen Monigold 0-3, Mahalah Wedel 2-3, Auria Benefield 0-2, Staci Regh 2-3, Kelsey Klin 1-3, Abby Ennenga 0-1, England 0-3, Gallagher 3-3, Dayln Germany 0-3, Rachel Rebo 0-2.
2B – Gallagher. RBIs – Gallagher 2, Wedel, England.
Libby 2, Belgrade 1
At Polson, the Lady Loggers defeated Belgrade for the second time this season. England held her opponents to two hits and Klin hit a home run.
Libby 000 101 0 - 2 3 0
Belgrade 000 001 0 - 1 2 0
LIBBY – Madisen Monigold 1-4, England 0-4, Mahalah Wedel 0-3, Devon Gallagher 1-3, Kelsey Klin 1-3, Auria Benefield 1-3, Dayln Germany 0-3, Rachel Rebo 0-3, Staci Regh 0-3.
BELGRADE – West 1-3, Neubauer 1-3, Branch 0-3, Rollins 0-3, Alstrom 0-3, Cygan 0-3, Bethke 0-3, Taylor 0-2, Goulet 0-2.
2B – Gallagher, West. HR – Klin. RBIs – Branch, Klin.
Libby 2, Butte Central 0
At Polson, the Lady Loggers started on a winning note behind a one-hit performance by England.
Libby 001 001 0 – 2 6
Butte Central 000 000 0 – 0 1
LIBBY – Monigold 0-3, England 1-4, Wedel 1-2, Gallagher 1-3, Klin 1-2, Benefield 0-3, Germany 0-3, Rebo 0-3, Regh 2-3.
BUTTE CENTRAL – Shawnee Hjelt 0-3, Shelby Paffhausen 0-3, Taylor Wahl 0-2, Mollie Peoples 0-3, Corbyn Holm 1-3, Cassidy McGree 0-3, Mikayla Boggs 0-2, Rylee Green 0-2, Kate Ossello 0-2.
RBI – Germany.