Libby looks to rebound after tough stretch

The Libby Lady Loggers softball team learned a few tough lessons recently against some of the state’s best competition.

Hosting the Western A conference-leading Frenchtown Broncs (5-0, 12-1), the Lady Loggers (3-2, 12-3) ran into a buzz saw named Morgan Ray. The junior pitcher struck out 16 batters Saturday, allowing only four hits during seven innings. Libby hung tough against the reigning Gatorade Montana softball player of the year, but fell 10-1.

“I still think we can be state champions,” Libby Coach Dean Thompson said to his players after the game. “If we are going to beat them, we have to keep them off the board. Their only loss on the season, I think, was a 5-3 game. She’s hittable, but during our earlier at-bats we looked like deer in the headlights. We got better as the game went on.”

Libby pushed across its lone run in the bottom of the fourth when catcher Devon Gallagher smacked an opposite-field double that fell just out of the diving reach of Frenchtown’s left fielder. Shortstop Mahalah Wedel scored on the play after pulling a single earlier in the inning.

It’s a different game when Ray takes the pitchers circle. Her 68-mph fastball— thrown from 43 feet away— gives hitters the same amount of time to react as a 98-mph fastball delivered from a baseball pitcher’s mound. Realizing how overmatched many opposing batters can be, Frenchtown Coach Eli Field frequently brings in an outfielder to play five girls on the infield.

“She’s the best pitcher in the state,” Thompson said. “We are going to work hard in practice and come together. We just got to play a full seven innings.”

While his varsity squad took some bruises, Thompson glowed mentioning his junior varsity team’s success. The JV squad remained undefeated when it bested Frenchtown, 3-2.

Libby’s varsity will not wait long for a rematch. Libby travels Thursday to Frenchtown before stopping in Butte for a two-day weekend tournament.

Glacier 8, Libby 3

At Libby, the Lady Loggers held a 2-0 lead through three innings before the Glacier (8-7-1) bats came alive, blasting three home runs and plating seven in the final three frames. While the defense was solid Friday, the Lady Loggers were held to three hits. First baseman Dayln Germany belted a solo homer, and catcher Devon Gallagher picked up two RBIs.

Libby 10, Frenchtown 1

Frenchtown 220 303 0 – 10 12 1

Libby 000 100 0 – 1 4 3

LIBBY - Wedel- 2-3, Gallagher- 1-3, Kyra Lauer 1-3.

Glacier 8, Libby 3

Glacier 000 130 4 – 8 8 0

Libby 110 010 0 – 3 3 1

Gallagher 1-3, Dayln Germany 1-3, Madisen Monigold 1-3.